Climate Change Fuels Growing Mental Health Concerns

As the frequency of climate-related disasters increases globally, experts are raising alarms about the rising mental health challenges linked to climate change. Natural disasters and constant exposure to related news have contributed to an increase in climate-related psychological distress.

Climate change’s effects are increasingly evident in people’s mental health. As awareness of the issue grows, many people experience heightened anxiety and distress about the future, according to an article from the Journal of Climate Change and Health. This phenomenon, known as eco-anxiety, has become a growing concern for mental health professionals. The anxiety stems from a combination of witnessing the real-time effects of climate change and the pervasive presence of climate-related news in media outlets and social media discussions.

The growing prominence of climate-related news stories further exacerbates the mental health crisis. The devastation caused by natural disasters, such as the recent Storm Dana in Spain, which severely impacted regions like Valencia, continuously fills media outlets. Constant exposure to such information has created an environment of heightened anxiety, further contributing to the surge in eco-anxiety.

“The impact of climate change is compounding the already extremely challenging situation for mental health and mental health services globally. There are nearly 1 billion people living with mental health conditions, yet in low- and middle-income countries, 3 out of 4 do not have access to needed services,” says Dévora Kestel, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO. 

The mental health impacts of climate change can be both immediate and prolonged. Acute weather events often cause trauma, triggering psychological responses similar to PTSD,  as reported by Frontiers in Psychiatry.  Exposure to extreme weather can lead to delayed psychological effects, such as PTSD, with lasting impacts on future generations.

Children, in particular, are vulnerable to the mental health consequences of climate change. Children exposed to natural disasters are at increased risk for developing depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as reported by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. For example, the experience of being forced to evacuate their homes and lose belongings can leave lasting emotional scars. 

Furthermore, extreme weather events can also disrupt social and economic factors such as employment, housing, and access to food and water, causing immediate hardships and long-term psychological strain as individuals work to rebuild their lives.

To address these challenges, the World Health Organization has outlined several strategies for governments to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change. These recommendations include integrating mental health support into climate action plans, fostering community-based approaches to reduce vulnerability, and addressing the significant funding gap for mental health services and psychosocial support.