HOW CLIMATE CHANGE CAN AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH – ORAL PRESENTATION

Climate change is a worldwide concern that has become, over the years, an extremely
discussed topic due to the alarming rate these changes are occurring. When we think about
climate change, we immediately think of the consequences that, directly or indirectly, are
threatening our planet and our livelihood such as: heat waves, the rise of the ocean levels, the
melting of the ice caps and extreme weather events that are becoming more and more
frequent. And, although we as a species are to blame for what could be our very own mass
extinction, there are other consequences of climate change besides the ones referred
previously that deeply affects us, specifically speaking, side effects for our health.

Globally, the prevalence of mental health issues is extremely high even without considering
the added mental health consequences of a changing climate. In 2017, it was estimated that
slightly more that one in ten people globally lived with a mental health disorder (about 10,7%)
and these numbers are only approximated due to the inaccuracy and lack of data in under-
developed countries.

We can look at the repercussions of our unstable climate on our mental health from two
facets: the direct and the indirect one. The direct one is the more obvious and is clearly related
to direct exposure to an extreme weather event or another situation originated in climate
change. These tragic events are the reason for many life-altering transformations such as
different agricultural conditions, weakened infrastructure, financial stress, and the possible
displacement of entire communities, just to name a few. It is not that far stretched to conclude
that all of these scenarios could leave marks on a person’s well-being and lead to mental
disorders.

We can look at data collected in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2018, which shows the
effects on the local populations impacted. Following the traumatic incident, both suicides and
thoughts of suicide doubled, 49 percent of residents suffered from an anxiety or mood
disorder, while one in six residents met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Another aspect that has been pointed is that all of these situations lead to an
increase of violence, especially domestic abuse, given by the fact that its rates typically go up
after a natural disaster.

There are groups of people that are disproportionally affected by these conditions including
children and people with pre-existing psychological conditions. In a 2018 review of the
psychological effects of climate change on children, Australian researchers found that climate
change increases the risk of children developing PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, sleep
disorders, attachment disorders, and substance abuse. People living with mental illness are
also more likely to live in poverty or to have co-occurring substance use disorders, which will
make it harder for them to cope or adapt to changes. Furthermore, those with severe mental
illness are more likely to be dependent upon service, infrastructure, and medication supply
chains that are often disrupted after disasters. With that being said, first line responders,
emergency workers and others involved with responding to extreme weather-related disasters
are also at increased risk for mental health consequences both in the short and long term.
These individuals may be both a responder and a victim, required to provide care for the public
while managing the adverse impacts of a disaster for their own family and themselves.
However, you do not require direct exposure to any extreme-weather event to feel the impact
of climate change on your well-being. We’re constantly exposed to scary and disturbing
headlines that showcase the fragile balance of our planet and how it has become more and
more endangered, and that alone can lead to an overwhelming feeling of helplessness and
anxiety. Hearing about these phenomena’s and not feeling like we can do anything to help or
that world leaders are not taking these issues seriously enough are common thoughts to have
these days. There is also a growing concern about the generations to come and how they will
be impacted by the lack of action in the present which translates in a general state of worry
about the future for oneself and possible children. We can even say that all of us must go
through a sort of mourning process due to the biodiversity and lives lost, as well the
irrevocable changes in landscape and life conditions.

All the reasons cited above lead to the use of a fairly new term, eco-anxiety, to describe a
general feeling of anxiety or distress linked to climate change. It’s important to underline that
exposure to climate-change related stories and reports are a good thing, in the sense that we
all need to know what’s going on with the world and what changes need to be made. So, it’s
perfectly normal for all of us to deal with eco-anxiety in different ways and at different times,
depending on our exposure to the problem at hand. The key is to not let these feelings of
anxiety and impotence overwhelm you, but instead find a way to turn that into positive
actions.

I strongly believe that both mental health and climate change are two of the major issues that
today’s society is currently facing. I hope I have managed to bring awareness to both, and how
the various aspects of our lives can be intertwined and affect our overall well-being. Let’s
continue to fight for change and make conscient choices that contribute to the health of our
planet, and our own.