Posted: Post Date – 03:45 pm, Fri – Jun 3, 22
Stockholm: Climate change poses serious risks to mental health and well-being and therefore countries must make it a priority as they strive to tackle the climate crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
According to a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), rapidly increasing climate change poses a growing threat to mental health and psychosocial well-being, ranging from emotional distress to anxiety, depression, grief and suicidal behavior.
“The impacts of climate change are increasingly part of our daily lives, and there is very little mental health support available for individuals and communities facing climate-related dangers and long-term risks,” said the Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department. Environment, Climate Change and Health of the WHO, in a statement.
Mental health conditions already represent a significant burden around the world. There are nearly a billion people living with mental health problems; however, in low- and middle-income countries, three out of four do not have access to necessary services.
The WHO noted that these figures will be exacerbated by the climate crisis. He urged countries to increase mental health and psychosocial support within disaster risk reduction and climate action to help protect those most at risk.
A 2021 WHO survey of 95 countries found that so far only nine have included mental health and psychosocial support in their national health and climate change plans.
The WHO also released a policy brief on Friday at the Stockholm+50 conference in Sweden.
It recommends five major approaches for governments to address the mental health impacts of climate change: integrate climate considerations with mental health programs; integrate mental health support with climate action; be based on global commitments; develop community-based approaches to reduce vulnerabilities; and close the large funding gap that exists for mental health and psychosocial support.
The Stockholm Conference commemorates the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and recognizes the importance of environmental determinants for physical and mental health.
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