Climate Change and Mental Health: A Review of Empirical Evidence, Mechanisms and Implications

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change is an existential threat whose influences continue to increase in severity. It is pivotal to understand the implications of climate change and their effects on mental health. This integrative review aims to summarize the relevant evidence examining the harm climate change may have on mental health, suggest potential mechanisms and discuss implications. Empirical evidence has begun to indicate that negative mental health outcomes are a relevant and notable consequence of climate change. Specifically, these negative outcomes range from increased rates of psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder to higher measures of suicide, aggression and crime. Potential mechanisms are thought to include neuroinflammatory responses to stress, maladaptive serotonergic receptors and detrimental effects on one’s own physical health, as well as the community wellbeing. While climate change and mental health are salient areas of research, the evidence examining an association is limited. Therefore, further work should be conducted to delineate exact pathways of action to explain the mediators and mechanisms of the interaction between climate change and mental health.

Climate Change Perception and Mental Health. Results from a Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Several factors, including socio-behavioral aspects, culture, information, and preparedness, influence how people experience and cope with climate change [44]. Empirical studies have begun to establish links between climate change and mental health consequences [16]. Climate change can impact mental health directly (e.g., heatwaves), indirectly in the short term (e.g., during extreme events like floods and hurricanes), or indirectly in the long term (e.g., through prolonged droughts, sea-level rise, deforestation, and forced migration) [45].…”

“…As mentioned, climate change also has effects on mental health [15]. A growing body of research links climate change to adverse mental health outcomes, including post-traumatic stress, depression (20-30% prevalence after extreme weather events), and anxiety following exposure to various climate events [16]. More in detail, recent research in the field has been primarily dedicated to the exploration of climate anxiety, eco-anxiety, climate grief, and the relatively new concept of solastalgia.…”

Active Hope as a Catalyst for Mental and Psychosocial Health in Climate-Related Disasters

“…In addressing the practical feasibility of interventions post climate-related disasters, understanding barriers to implementation, resource requirements, and strategies to overcome contextual challenges is crucial. Barriers to implementation encompass various factors, including limited access to resources such as funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel necessary for hope-focused interventions (Crane et al, 2022). Moreover, the necessity for cultural sensitivity and contextual relevance in such interventions cannot be overstated, as failure to account for local beliefs and norms may undermine their effectiveness (Diffey et al, 2022).…”

Utjecaj klimatskih promjena na mentalno zdravlje

“…Klimatske promjene mogu imati značajan utjecaj na mentalno zdravlje ljudi djelovanjem putem niza uzročnih puteva, kao što su značajni ekonomski gubici, narušavanje uobičajenih lanaca proizvodnje i distribucije vode i hrane, povećanje broja tjelesnih bolesti, migracija i društvenih sukoba (10).…”

“…Climate change can have a significant impact on people's mental health through a number of causal pathways which include significant economic losses, disruption of normal water and food production and distribution chains, increased rates of physical illnesses, migration and social conflicts (10).…”