Mental Health Climate Change
• Tools
Connecting Climate Minds
Connecting Climate Minds is a global project to bridge critical gaps in research and action at the intersection of mental health and climate change.
WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Mental Health
Environmental degradation impacts mental health through increased frequency and severity of diseases, disorders, and distress while reducing modifiers that promote well-being, such as nutrition and social capital.
Studies illuminate both the mental health benefits of exposure to nature and the harms—including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, PTSD, and suicide—that have been linked to environmental degradation. While more research is needed, a growing evidence base explores the mental health dimensions of global environmental change.
Global environmental change negatively impacts mental health through various mechanisms, ranging from the direct effects of extreme weather events to the long-term consequences of disrupted livelihoods, food and water insecurity, and dislocation. Other studies have linked exposure to high levels of heat to sleep loss, and associated particulate air pollution and higher rates of postpartum depression. Awareness of the degradation of Earth systems is associated with eco-anxiety or solastalgia. We also know that these mental health effects are disproportionately experienced by certain communities including Indigenous peoples, low-income individuals, children, older adults, individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses, among others.
At the same time, it is important to note the benefits of spending time in nature. A review of randomized control trials shows that nature-based interventions improve depressive mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce negative affect. Better understanding of both these risks and benefits could meaningfully inform resource management decisions and urban design to mitigate the mental health impacts of environmental change.
See Also
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Air Pollution
Low Emission Zones improve air quality, physical health and mental well-being. Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath.
This policy briefing from the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath evaluates the impact of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) schemes in England.
• Policy Briefs
Mental Health Youth Voices
United Nations Science, Technology and Innovation Forum 2025: Side Event on The Nexus Between Planetary Crises and Youth Mental Health
This session explores the mental health impacts of Planetary Health challenges on youth, with a strong focus on young women and girls.
• Videos
Mental Health Economics and Economic Systems
How the economy is making us ill, and what we can do about it.
The WEAll Health Working Group presents a new webinar series exploring how our economic systems shape health outcomes.
• Videos
Mental Health Climate Change
Influence of natural hazards on farmers’ livelihoods and mental health in the Southern African development community: A scoping review. Natural Hazards.
• Research & Reports
Mental Health Climate Change
Climate trauma from wildfire exposure impacts cognitive decision-making. Scientific Reports.
• Research & Reports
News Related to Mental Health
Justice, Decolonisation, and Planetary Well-Being
