Climate change and mental health: time for action and advocacy
Emmet Power1, Niamh McCarthy2, Ina Kelly3
1Department of Psychiatry, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
Climate change poses an existential threat to our planet and our health. We explore the intersections of climate change and mental health which has been under-recognised to date. Climate change can affect mental health directly through the effects of extreme weather events such as heat, drought and flooding, and indirectly through increasing rates of migration and inequality. Vulnerable individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders will be particularly at risk. Emerging evidence is also showing effects of air pollution on brain development. Mitigation efforts related to reducing carbon emissions will have both direct and indirect effects on mental health. A further consideration demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic is that the spread of infectious disease can have substantial effects on the mental health of the population. With climate change and biodiversity loss, pandemics could recur in the future with increasing frequency. It is now essential that mental health professionals be equipped as agents for climate action.
More Related Videos
06:58An Application for Pairing with Wearable Devices to Monitor Personal Health Status
Published on: February 3, 2022
12:22Mindfulness in Motion MIM: An Onsite Mindfulness Based Intervention MBI for Chronically High Stress Work Environments to Increase Resiliency and Work Engagement
Published on: July 1, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Global Climate Change
What is Climate?
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Dimensions of Health and Illness
Psychological Responses to Stress
