Mental health and Climate Change: Policy Brief

Climate change is a growing global crisis. Its scale is already massive, and with inaction it continues to grow. It results in both acute hazards, such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires, and slower-onset threats, such as ecosystem changes, food and water insecurity and loss of place and culture. 

Climate change is one of a number of global environmental threats. The effects of unsustainable human activities, such as deforestation, ecosystem degradation and depletion and loss of biodiversity, and economies that are reliant on fossil fuels are leading to water and food insecurity, air pollution and contamination of land, rivers and oceans. All of these are having a measurable adverse impact on human health, mental health, and well-being and further exacerbating the climate emergency.

Not only is nature essential for human existence, but many of its functions and contributions are irreplaceable. 

Studying the impact of these changes on individuals and communities, researchers and public health officials have largely focused on physical health. However, climate change also exacerbates many social and environmental risk factors for mental health and psychosocial problems, and can lead to emotional distress, the development of new mental health conditions and a worsening situation for people already living with these conditions. Therefore, in preparing for and responding to this growing emergency, there is an increasing need for the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). In this context, this report from the WHO is a policy brief on the nexus between mental health and climate change.