Citation

Ip EC, Cheung D. Glob. Ment. Health (Camb.) 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/gmh.2022.22

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Human health hinges on the integrity of the planetary biophysical environment and local ecosystems (Zywert and Quilley, Reference Zywert, Quilley, Zywert and Quilley2020). Climate change, ocean acidification, freshwater supplies overconsumption, air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and toxic waste have triggered extreme weather events, rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, food degradation, and new communicable diseases that have severely impacted on not only ecosystems (Phelan, Reference Phelan, Gostin and Meier2020), but also the physical and mental health of children, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations with pre-existing chronic health conditions and low economic status (Ingle and Mikulewicz, Reference Ingle and Mikulewicz2020).

Mental disorders associated with climate change are far less visible than physical ones, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in which public mental healthcare tends not to be prioritized by international development agencies and national governments. Extraordinary heat events noticeably increase hospital admissions for behavioral and mood disorders such as mania, neurotic disorders, and schizophrenia (Hayes et al., Reference Hayes, Blashki, Wiseman, Burke and Reifels2018). Extreme weather events such as flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires can lead to acute shock, increased incidence of suicide and suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); gradual climate development like changes in temperature patterns, increased frequency of droughts, disappearance of rivers, and rising sea levels can alter the social determinants of mental health (Chan, Reference Chan2020), and result in chronic psychological distress and anxiety in the long run (The Lancet Planetary Health, 2017). Widespread ecological degradation and abject governmental responses to food and water insecurity additionally contribute to the occurrence of armed conflict and civil unrest (Hayes et al., Reference Hayes, Blashki, Wiseman, Burke and Reifels2018), which are likely to result in adverse psychological effects in affected populations...

Language: en