The clinical implications of climate change for mental health

Tara J. Crandon, Cybele Dey, James G. Scott, Hannah J. Thomas, Suhailah Ali and Fiona J. Charlson ()
Additional contact information
Tara J. Crandon: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Cybele Dey: Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
James G. Scott: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Hannah J. Thomas: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Suhailah Ali: University of Queensland
Fiona J. Charlson: University of Queensland

Nature Human Behaviour, 2022, vol. 6, issue 11, 1474-1481

Abstract: Abstract Climate change affects mental health through multiple pathways, including direct and indirect impacts, physical health and awareness of the climate crisis. Climate change increases the magnitude and frequency of extreme events with little or no time for recovery. This Review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence to inform the mental health field’s response to climate change. While further innovation is needed, promising approaches for health professionals are identified at the levels of interventions for individuals, community and system-wide responses, and advocacy and education. Health worker training is important, so we offer guidance on mental health assessment and clinical risks from climate change. We also outline strategies to enhance individual and community psychological resilience and promising approaches to working with people experiencing emerging climate-related disorders. Beyond clinical care, mental health professionals can lead on climate action and sustainability in health care and can research and educate on the health effects of climate change.

Date: 2022
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01477-6 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:nathum:v:6:y:2022:i:11:d:10.1038_s41562-022-01477-6

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/nathumbehav/

DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01477-6

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Human Behaviour is currently edited by Stavroula Kousta

More articles in Nature Human Behaviour from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().