Climate change and mental health: risks, impacts and priority actions

Abstract

BackgroundThis article provides an overview of the current and projected climate change risks and impacts to mental health and provides recommendations for priority actions to address the mental health consequences of climate change.Discussion and conclusionThe authors argue the following three points: firstly, while attribution of mental health outcomes to specific climate change risks remains challenging, there are a number of opportunities available to advance the field of mental health and climate change with more empirical research in this domain; secondly, the risks and impacts of climate change on mental health are already rapidly accelerating, resulting in a number of direct, indirect, and overarching effects that disproportionally affect those who are most marginalized; and, thirdly, interventions to address climate change and mental health need to be coordinated and rooted in active hope in order to tackle the problem in a holistic manner. This discussion paper concludes with recommendations for priority actions to address the mental health consequences of climate change.

Indigenous mental health in a changing climate: a systematic scoping review of the global literature

“…The mental health impacts of climate change are amplified among certain populations, including those living in ecologically sensitive areas; those who rely closely on their environment for subsistence and livelihoods; those who already struggle with chronic health issues; and those experiencing ongoing systems of inequity, marginalization, and colonization, such as many Indigenous Peoples globally [1,[23][24][25][26]. As such, climate change and resulting environmental changes not only risk amplifying existing health challenges for many Indigenous Peoples, but also potentially create new challenges, such as coping with ecological grief and anxiety [7], solastalgia and the loss of beloved places [14], and intangible impacts of environmental loss and damage [13].…”

Estimating the Health‐Related Costs of 10 Climate‐Sensitive U.S. Events During 2012

“…National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013a). Drought conditions have been linked with health risks including respiratory illness, mental health issues, and heat stress (Achakulwisut et al, 2019;Hayes et al, 2018;OBrien et al, 2014;Stanke et al, 2013;Vins et al, 2015). Two months before Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Isaac made landfall over Louisiana, its large storm surge triggering flooding and causing nine deaths (U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013a van Oldenborgh et al, 2017) and 2018 wildfires in California that were the largest, costliest, and deadliest in the state's history (Smith, 2019).…”

Addressing Mental Health in a Changing Climate: Incorporating Mental Health Indicators into Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments

“…Firstly, a better understanding of the true burden of illness associated with climate change can emerge—one that reflects a more holistic conceptualization of health [51]. Identifying climate change as a determinant of mental health may help to reduce stigma.…”

“…Locating mental health problems within the broader field of anthropogenic climate change may encourage climate change mitigation behaviors and advocacy for climate action. A robust understanding of the mental health outcomes from climate change—an understanding that includes the affirmative mental health outcomes like post-traumatic growth, altruism, and compassion—can inform the investigation of factors that can enhance or build psychosocial resilience [51]. …”

“…Understanding the positive mental health outcomes following a climate-related event is pertinent because this information can provide insights into the complex, multidimensional effects of a changing climate on human health and wellbeing, and this understanding may also support climate change and health adaptation efforts [51]. One suggested approach is to assess post-traumatic growth (PTG) after a climate change-related extreme weather event.…”