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Affects of Climate Change on Your Mental Health
Originally Published July 30, 2024
The following highlights the facts. More information can be obtained through the sites listed below as well as many other informational sites. Make sure you have all up-to-date information.
Possible Affects of Climate Change and Your Mental Health
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Fear
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicide
- Violence
- Psychological distress
- Sociological distress
- Sleep disruption
- Increased self-identity due to displacement from homes and communities
- Social withdrawal
- Aggression
- Guilt
Other factors to consider with climate change and mental health
Increased frequency and/or severity of acute climate-related events such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, and fires can cause additional mental health problems:
- Living with the constant fear of a disaster happening again
- Death of family and friends
- Survival guilt
- Displacement from family and home
- Loss of wages
- Food shortages
- Lack of water
- Limited medical services and supplies
Simple tips that can help improve your mental health related to climate change
- Know what you are experiencing is real
- Speak with someone regarding your concerns
- Practice self-care techniques, such as mindfulness, yoga, meditation, etc.
- Learn the facts about climate change
- Be prepared to what you can possibly do without becoming obsessive
- Remember, being prepared and informed is always good, but it should not control your life
Basic tips for communities to help with climate mental health
- Understand mental health can be affected by climate change
- Acknowledging climate change affects many things
- Establishing community groups to share stories
- Awareness to vulnerable populations is important
- Proactive approaches should be implemented
- Openly discuss coping strategies
- Eliminate the stigma surrounding climate mental health
Sources used:
- National Institute of Health, Media Advisory: Climate Health, accessed July 24, 2024.
- Climate mental health network, Tips, worksheets, accessed July 23, 2024.
- Yale program on climate change communication, Uppalapati, S., Ballew, M., Campbell, E., Kotcher, J., Rosenthal, S., Leiserowitz, A., & Maibach, E. (2023). The prevalence of Climate Change Psychological Distress among American adults. Yale University and George Mason University. New Haven, CT: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. The Prevalence of Climate Change Psychologist distress among American adults, accessed July 23, 2024.
- American Public Health Association, Climate Changes Health: Mental Wellness, accessed July 23, 2024.
- National Institute of Health, The impact of climate change on mental health, accessed July 24, 2024.
How Self-Care Can Help Your Mental Health
Reaching Out for Help
Stress and Anxiety Awareness
Learn More
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