Mental Health and Climate Change Policy in Australia: A Scoping Review

Suhailah Ali, Anne Cleary, Celine Ogg, Joemer Maravilla, Tanya Mara F. Gagalac, Sanam Ahmadzada and Fiona Charlson

Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, 2026, vol. 13, issue 2

Abstract: Climate change increasingly threatens mental health, yet Australian policy responses have largely neglected this connection. This scoping review analysed 25 national and state‐level policies across climate change, mental health and wellbeing, and climate‐health domains using a structured thematic framework. Findings reveal that climate policies broadly reference health but rarely address mental health specifically. Mental health policies seldom mention climate change, despite mounting evidence of its psychological impacts. Climate‐health policies offered the most integrated approach but remain limited in number. Only seven policies included concrete, actionable strategies. Nine key themes emerged, including systems and services, priority populations, resilience, workforce, research, and policy. Most policies emphasised awareness over implementation. Jurisdictions with dedicated climate‐health policies—such as the Federal Government, Queensland, and Victoria—demonstrated stronger engagement. Barriers include service gaps in regional areas, poor emergency integration, and insufficient data. Strengthening policy requires embedding mental health in climate adaptation, leveraging co‐benefits, and fostering cross‐sector collaboration to build climate resilience.

Date: 2026
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