By – Ekta

Introduction

The reality of the climate crisis is undeniable, with increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and more frequent natural disasters impacting societies around the globe. While the physical effects of climate change are visible and well-documented, the psychological impacts are often overlooked, especially in vulnerable communities. For those already grappling with socioeconomic disadvantages, the mental health consequences of climate change present an additional and frequently overwhelming burden. These communities experience climate change more acutely, as their capacity to respond to physical and psychological impacts is limited. (Cianconi et al., 2020).

This article explores the link between climate change and mental health, focusing on vulnerable populations. Understanding and addressing mental health challenges in these communities is crucial for a just response to the climate crisis.

The Climate Crisis: A Growing Mental Health Concern

The global climate crisis is causing severe hazards like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, as well as slower threats like changes in ecosystems, food and water insecurity, and loss of place and culture. It also worsens social and environmental risk factors for mental health, leading to emotional distress and new or exacerbated mental health conditions. For example, since 2015, thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have migrated to the Haut-Bassins region of Burkina Faso, adding pressure on natural resources and exacerbating climate change impacts. This has resulted in reduced agricultural production, increased food insecurity, and conflict, all of which affect mental health and well-being. (The International Disaster Database., 2021).

The mental health impacts of global climate change have been well-documented and include elevated rates of anxiety and mood disorders, acute stress reactions, posttraumatic stress disorders, sleep disruption, suicide and suicidal ideation, substance use disorders, and a decreased sense of self and identity due to loss of place and connection to the environment. (Palinkas et al., 2020).

Additionally, studies suggest that rising temperatures can impair mental health and increase the risk for suicidal behavior. Concerns about climate change can lead to negative responses, including persistent worries, psychological distress, and sleep difficulties related to the long-term consequences of climate change, resulting in functional impairment. (Schwartz et al., 2022). The consequences of climate change, from intense storms and heat waves to prolonged droughts and rising sea levels, cause immediate destruction and long-term psychological impacts. People exposed to climate-related disasters often experience trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Vulnerable communities face compounded mental health burdens due to pre-existing challenges and a lack of resources to cope with climate disasters (Hasso, 2021).

Vulnerable Communities: Disproportionate Impacts

Low-Income Communities

Environmental changes in a country can lead to economic crises, subsequently increasing suicide rates and causing mental and behavioral disturbances. This stress, when combined with low socioeconomic status, limited access to resources, and diminished health, can reduce the ability to cope. Both economic and climatic factors are strongly correlated with suicide, accounting for 62.4% of male and 41.7% of female suicide rate variability across the continent. (Lawrance et al., 2022). The recent Dasgupta Report on the Economics of Biodiversity (2021) emphasizes the need to change our perspectives, actions, and measures of success. It highlights the impact of climate change on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues linked to forced displacement, food and water insecurity, and economic losses. The report also addresses the significant economic burden of mental illness and the projected increase in suicides due to climate change. (Lawrance et al., 2021).

Climate-driven migration threatens the preservation of traditional culture when climate refugees seek new homes. Psychological and social factors also impact a community’s resilience following a disaster, with greater vulnerability linked to lower levels of social cohesion, higher rates of social inequality, and distrust between community dwellers and institutions. (Cianconi et al., 2020). Low-income communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, often residing in areas vulnerable to environmental disasters. Limited access to mental health services in these areas can lead to untreated mental health conditions, hindering recovery and exacerbating poverty. Chronic anxiety and depression due to loss and lack of recovery perpetuate mental health challenges in these communities. (Walinkski et al., 2024).

Indigenous Communities

The social and economic disruption caused by climate change, including migration, has a significant negative impact on mental health. Forced displacement or evacuation after climate-related disasters has been consistently linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Longer-term forced migration resulting from climate-related threats can also lead to higher rates of diagnosed mental disorders and worsening mental well-being (Dr Emma Lawrance et al., 2020). Indigenous peoples are particularly vulnerable to the mental health impacts of climate change. Understanding their diverse risks, impacts, and responses to climate-related mental health issues is crucial. Indirect impacts worsen vulnerabilities, leading to intangible losses related to place attachment, culture, and socio-economic disadvantages. (Vecchio et al., 2022).

The mental health impacts of climate change, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities, are influenced by the magnitude of the risk, vulnerability, and local socio-cultural contexts. These impacts include outcomes such as suicide, depression, and anxiety, which have been linked to changes in meteorological factors and exposure to weather events. (Middleton et al., 2020). Indigenous communities face unique challenges from the climate crisis, including “ecological grief” caused by the loss of their land and cultural practices. Rising sea levels threaten to displace populations and disrupt traditions. This trauma has severe mental health implications, but Indigenous communities often face systemic barriers to culturally appropriate mental health care. (Walinski et al., 2023).

Eco-Anxiety in Children

The global mental health systems are severely strained, with up to 50% of people with mental health disorders receiving no treatment, and this number increases to almost 90% in low-resource settings (Lawrance et al., 2022). It is crucial to note that 75% of mental ill-health begins before the age of 18, and the current generation of young people is growing up under the shadow of a climate crisis that they did not create (Bourque, et Willox, 2015). The climate crisis poses a significant threat to the provision of care for individuals with a mental illness diagnosis, exacerbating mental distress, especially among young people, and giving rise to phenomena such as ‘eco-anxiety’ (Hayward, et al 2021).

It is undeniable that both climate change and mental health concerns are defining issues of our generation. The psychological impacts of climate change, including ‘climate anxiety’ or ‘eco-anxiety,’ are not yet fully understood. A recent study of 433 Filipinos revealed a significant relationship between climate change anxiety and mental health, with climate change anxiety predicting 13.5% of the overall variance in the Mental Health Index (Reyes et al., 2021). The psychological impacts of climate change, including eco-anxiety, can lead to distress, anger, and despair, as well as a range of mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts (Goodes et al., 2022).

Furthermore, climate change not only threatens children’s physical health but also has implications for their mental well-being. Children may experience negative emotional responses due to their awareness of the imminent threats to the planet caused by climate change (Martin et al., 2022).

Building Resilience and Access to Care

The climate crisis has a significant impact on the mental well-being of millions of people worldwide. It is crucial to address these challenges by building resilience at both the individual and community levels through community-based mental health programs and improved access to healthcare. In low-income and developing communities, access to mental health services must be improved, and funding for mental health care in areas most affected by climate change needs to be prioritized. (The International Disaster Database., 2021)

Moreover, empowering vulnerable communities through climate education and adaptation programs can alleviate the psychological impact of the crisis. By equipping individuals with the tools and resources to adapt to changing environments, communities can reduce the feelings of helplessness and despair often associated with climate anxiety.

Conclusion

The climate crisis presents a significant threat to the physical and mental well-being of vulnerable communities. As the world grapples with increasingly frequent and severe climate-related events, it is imperative to address the psychological impacts of climate change (Berry, 2010). Marginalized populations, including low-income groups, Indigenous communities, and Children, disproportionately experience these mental health challenges. Prioritizing mental health care and fostering resilience within these communities are essential steps to mitigate the long-term psychological effects of the climate crisis and strive toward a more just and equitable future for all (Padhy et al, 2015).

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