Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change Among Vulnerable Populations Globally

Illustration of climate anxiety | Image Credit: Antonio Rodriguez - stock.adobe.com

Climate change, mainly caused by anthropogenic activities, are continuing to increase, leaving vulnerable populations to bear the brunt of harmful physical and mental health outcomes.

In an integrative review, researchers set out to explore the mental health impact climate change has on vulnerable populations and propose potential solutions as means of support. Vulnerable populations disturbed by climate change range from children, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with low socioeconomic statuses, Indigenous peoples, certain non-White communities, people with disabilities, those with preexisting or chronic medical conditions, and occupational groups. Occupational groups are typically farmworkers, miners, construction workers, or factory workers since they are exposed to high ambient temperatures for extended periods of time.

Compiled literature addressed solastalgia, the distress caused by transformation, deterioration, and degradation of an environment. Research found natural disasters, prolonged environmental transformation, deforestation, resource extraction/development, gentrification, displacement or appropriation of land/political violence/war, rapid industrial development, and climate change as sources of environmental change.

Several databases were utilized to find relevant research and determine inclusion of eligibility criteria. Originally, a total of 104 articles were analyzed for the review, until an updated search (July 2022) led to another 568 articles. Notably, the global pandemic led to an increase in mental health impacts of climate change during and after 2020.

Results from the researched literature linked marginalized communities with patterns of solastalgia, suicidality, depression, anxiety/eco-anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, substance use, and behavioral disturbances as repeated topics gathered with climate change. There were patterns of farmers having increased chances of depression and suicide due to climate change, but children were the most vulnerable population impacted by climate change between reduced capacity for learning, mental development after climate-related natural disasters, greater negative affect, lower emotion regulation, detrimental effects on infant temperament and early childhood, as well as restlessness and distraction.

Climate-related psychological distress was categorized as either direct, indirect, or psychosocial on the impacted person. Direct mental health impacts showed patterns among indigenous boys from low-income households whereas indirect impacts were more present in girls. While Indigenous communities contribute the least to climate change, the research depicted a consistent impact of disproportionate economic distress, their location of vulnerable ecosystems, and the cultural/traditional lifestyles reliant on natural resources disturbed by climate change.

Vulnerable populations effected by climate change have been described as experiencing trauma, an event, or series of events where an individual was physically or emotionally harmed where lasting adverse effects inhibit the functioning of mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The integrated research addressed a support method using realization, recognition, response, and resisting re-traumatization as the 4 concepts approach. The Environmental Distress Measure and Caring for Country projects are recommended screening tools that could help implement community intervention.

The purpose of the integrative review was to examine mental health consequences of climate change in vulnerable populations while mitigating, adapting, and strengthening solutions in the rapidly evolving world. The Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Model is relevant for health care professionals and community leaders when addressing the mental health risks related to climate change. The research authors state it is “a structure for providers to understand the mental health needs of patients before, during, and after climate events”.

Reference

White BP, Breakey S, Brown MJ, et al. Mental health impacts of climate change among vulnerable populations globally: an integrative review. Ann Glob Health. 2023;89(1):66. doi:10.5334/aogh.4105