Environmental Public Health

Climate Change and Mental Health

Use the information below to help integrate climate considerations into your existing public health practice.

View Resources for All Program Areas

Program Area: Mental Health

Climate change affects both our physical and mental health.

Key messages

Exposure to climate-related disasters, and the media coverage describing events and projected increase in events, will increase the risk of stress and serious mental health disorders like trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide.
Economic disruptions, such as increased job loss in climate-affected industries (agriculture, etc.), will create new stressors especially for households already living in poverty.

What can public health practitioners do?

Collaborate with mental health crises services in your area and complete trainings in mental health, trauma-informed care and suicidal crises.
Fully integrate and assess mental health impacts in public health planning and assessment.

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