Climate change can very much affect the mental health of an individual. this presentation looks at how this works and how one can regulate themselves to withstand or deal with the pressure that this may cause.

1. Key Information
Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health
June 25, 2025
This presentation explores the connection
between environmental changes and
psychological well-being.
• Understanding these impacts is essential
for developing effective support systems.
Introduction
Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health

2. Agenda Overview
Introduction to Climate
Change and Mental
Health
Aim and Scope of the
Literature Review
Intro: Climate &
Mental Health
Aim & Scope
Review
Overview Introduction to Climate
Change and Mental
Health
Overview
Climate &
Mental Health
Aim and Scope of the
Literature Review
Aim & Scope
Review
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
Overview

3. Introduction
Introduction to Climate Change and Mental Health
Background on Climate Change
Climate change poses significant threats to global health,
impacting physical and mental well-being. Rising
temperatures, natural disasters, and unpredictable weather
patterns cause devastating effects on ecosystems,
economies, and human health (IPCC, 2021; WHO, 2018).
Evidence of Mental Health Impacts
Climate-related stressors contribute to anxiety,
depression, PTSD, and other psychological issues.
Vulnerable populations, including children and those with
pre-existing conditions, face disproportionate impacts
(Clayton et al., 2017; Berry et al., 2010; Hayes et al., 2018).
Connection Between Climate Change and Mental Health
The uncertainty and unpredictability of climate change
profoundly impact mental health, increasing stress,
anxiety, and fear about the future. Growing evidence
highlights the need to understand this complex
relationship comprehensively.
Importance of Interdisciplinary Research
Addressing climate change's mental health effects requires
collaboration across public health, psychology, and
environmental studies. Integrating expertise from these
fields will help develop effective strategies to promote
mental health resilience and support affected communities.

4. Aim and Scope of the
Literature Review
The review aims to explore how climate change
affects mental health across populations and identify
gaps in current research.
Focus on psychological effects such as anxiety,
depression, PTSD, eco-anxiety, and climate grief.
Examines mental health impacts related to extreme
weather events like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and
heatwaves.
Considers slow-onset climate phenomena including
droughts, rising sea levels, loss of livelihood,
community disruption, and migration.
• Highlights vulnerable populations including
children, youth, indigenous communities, low-
income groups, and people with pre-existing
mental health conditions.
Aim and Scope

5. Theoretical Framework
Key Theoretical Concepts
Eco-anxiety refers to the
feelings of worry, fear, and
anxiety related to the
impacts of climate change
on the environment and
human societies (Berry et
al., 2010).
Solastalgia describes the
emotional distress caused
by environmental changes,
such as climate-related
disasters, that disrupt one’s
sense of place and identity
(Albrecht, 2005, as cited in
Cianconi et al., 2020).
Eco-Anxiety Solastalgia
PTSD is a mental health
condition that can arise
after experiencing or
witnessing traumatic
events, including climate-
related disasters (Trombley
et al., 2017).
This model suggests
environmental stressors can
trigger mental health issues
in individuals with pre-
existing vulnerabilities,
explaining how climate-
related stressors exacerbate
or contribute to new mental
health conditions (Ingram &
Luxton, 2005, as cited in
Lawrence et al., 2022).
Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD)
Stress-Diathesis Model
Use examples of these concepts in real-
world climate events to illustrate their
relevance and enhance audience
understanding.

6. Mental Health in Environmental Stress
Context
Mental health in the context of environmental stress refers to the
psychological responses and coping mechanisms individuals employ
when faced with environmental stressors, such as climate-related
disasters (Lawrence et al., 2022).
These responses include a range of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral
reactions to stressors like extreme weather, droughts, and displacement.
Coping mechanisms may involve adaptive strategies such as seeking
social support, engaging in problem-solving, and emotional regulation
to manage distress.
• Understanding these mental health responses helps in developing
interventions to support individuals affected by climate change-
induced environmental stressors.
Theoretical Framework

7. Extreme Weather Events and Mental Health
Mental Health Impacts of Extreme Weather
Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and heatwaves trigger
PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Disasters cause psychological trauma lasting long after
the event.
Examples include Hurricane Katrina and Australian
bushfires.
• Children and youth are highly vulnerable to
emotional disruption.
Examples and Vulnerable Groups
Hurricane Katrina caused widespread trauma and
mental health disorders.
Australian bushfires led to increased anxiety and
depression in affected populations.
Low-income and pre-existing mental health
populations face greater risks.
• Displacement and loss of community exacerbate
mental health challenges.
Impacts

8. Slow-Onset Climate
Events and
Psychological Effects
Droughts and rising sea levels contribute to
prolonged stress and anxiety due to gradual
environmental degradation.
Loss of livelihood from crop failure or fishing
disruption leads to economic insecurity and mental
health strain.
Migration caused by slow-onset events results in
displacement stress and challenges in adapting to
new environments.
Community disruption from environmental changes
undermines social support networks critical to
mental well-being.
• These long-term psychological effects often
persist beyond the immediate physical impacts
of climate change.
Impacts

9. Vulnerable Populations and Climate
Impact
Children and youth are particularly susceptible to
anxiety and PTSD following extreme weather
events, which disrupt emotional development and
can have long-lasting effects (Clayton et al., 2017).
Indigenous communities experience cultural trauma and
loss of identity due to environmental degradation and
displacement, leading to profound intergenerational
mental health impacts (Weissbecker, 2011).
Low-income populations face increased burdens
due to limited access to mental health resources
and the economic and social impacts of climate-
related disasters (USGCRP, 2018).
Children and
Youth
Indigenous
Communities
Low-Income
Populations
Individuals with pre-existing mental health
conditions are at heightened risk of exacerbation or
relapse caused by the stress and trauma of climate-
related events (Walinski et al., 2023).
Pre-existing
Mental Health
Conditions
Use local examples of vulnerable
groups affected by climate change in
your presentation to create stronger
audience connection.
Vulnerability

10. Emerging Phenomena:
Eco-Anxiety and
Climate Grief
Emerging phenomena such as eco-anxiety and
climate grief are gaining prominence in climate
and mental health literature, particularly among
youth.
Climate-related stressors are increasingly linked to
anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness
(Cianconi, Betrò, and Janiri, 2020).
Young people involved in climate activism often
face mental strain from the overwhelming scale of
environmental degradation, balancing hope with
despair (Vergunst & Berry, 2021).
• Media amplifies these emotions through vivid
imagery and constant exposure to doom-laden
narratives, increasing perceived helplessness
(Clayton et al., 2017).
Emerging Phenomena

11. Media Influence on
Climate-Related Mental
Health
Media amplifies climate-related fears through
vivid imagery and constant exposure to doom-
laden narratives (Clayton et al., 2017).
Portrayals of irreversible climate damage increase
perceived helplessness among the public.
Uncertainty emphasized by media coverage can
heighten anxiety and stress about the future.
Media narratives influence how people perceive
climate risks and their psychological responses.
• The interplay between media exposure and
mental health highlights the need for balanced
reporting to mitigate climate-related distress.
Emerging Phenomena

12. Displacement, Migration, and
Psychological Toll
Forced migration due to climate disasters introduces new psychological
burdens.
Individuals displaced by climate events often experience trauma, anxiety,
and loss of identity due to relocation (Fernández-Villa et al., 2023).
Displacement disrupts social and cultural ties, compounding emotional
distress.
The long-term mental health implications affect not just individuals but
community resilience and societal well-being.
• Climate change must be understood as a growing public mental
health concern alongside environmental and economic crises
(Walinski et al., 2023).
Mental Health Impact

13. Challenges
Research Gaps and Challenges
Most existing studies on climate
change and mental health are
cross-sectional, providing only
snapshots of distress rather than
tracking how mental health evolves
over time. This limits
understanding of long-term
psychological effects (Clayton et
al., 2017).
Populations in vulnerable regions
facing severe climate impacts are
often excluded from empirical
research. This geographic
imbalance restricts global
understanding and reinforces
knowledge gaps (Hayes et al.,
2018).
Current mental health approaches
often overlook social and cultural
factors, reducing effectiveness in
diverse contexts. Inclusive research
and culturally sensitive programs
are vital to meet community-
specific needs and support
equitable mental health responses
(Fernández-Villa et al., 2023).
Lack of Longitudinal Studies
Underrepresentation of the
Global South
Need for Culturally
Contextualized Interventions
Use local case studies or examples
from the Global South to highlight the
importance of culturally contextualized
mental health interventions.

14. Conclusion and Call to
Action
Main findings highlight significant mental health
impacts from climate change, including anxiety, PTSD,
and depression across vulnerable populations.
The urgency of integrating mental health
considerations into climate change policy is critical to
address these emerging public health challenges.
There is a strong call for more interdisciplinary research
combining public health, psychology, and
environmental studies to develop holistic interventions.
Inclusive approaches are necessary to ensure culturally
relevant and equitable mental health support globally.
• Long-term research efforts are essential to
understand evolving mental health outcomes and
improve resilience strategies.
Conclusion