Mental Health and Climate Change: A Growing Concern for Young People
As government representatives gather at the COP29 international climate summit in Azerbaijan, the impact of climate change on young people’s mental health needs to be an urgent priority.
Mental health is getting worse
Young people’s mental health is getting worse in Australia and across the world. There is growing evidence that inadequate action on climate change is contributing. But it goes beyond young people worrying about how climate change will affect their future. Climate change is here, and its effects are already damaging young people’s mental health.
Suicidal behaviour risk increases with hotter weather
Our recent study shows that small increases in average temperatures can mean a large rise in the number of hot days each year. In 2019, for example, Australia had 33 days averaging over 39°C – more than the total number of the preceding 59 years. While studies have shown a link between hot weather and adult suicidal thoughts and behavior, the issue is under-researched among young people.
Heat and inequality
Our study also found that young people in regions with some of Australia’s most disadvantaged suburbs had a higher risk of presenting at emergency for suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those in more advantaged areas, even at the same temperature. This is significant because previous research has shown socioeconomic disadvantage in itself does not increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people.
Complex interactions for mental health
Understanding mental health impacts of climate change means examining complex interactions between multiple factors, and over time. Simple, linear “cause and effect” models do not capture this. Anxiety about climate change does also play a role in young people’s mental health. But children and teenagers who show high levels of distress may be expressing a healthy response to an unhealthy reality, rather than a mental disorder.
What we’ll be telling COP29
At COP29, leaders must understand youth mental health is already seriously affected by insufficient action on climate change, from increasing extreme weather, heat, forced migration and disruption to school, work and health care.
How can we adapt?
If we are to adapt to climate change, we need to prepare the mental health system at national, state and local levels. Public health messaging about heat should also consider the risks of single hot days, not just heatwaves. It should target young people and include information about mental health as well as physical health.
Conclusion
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a mental health crisis for young people. We must prioritize their well-being and take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change. This requires a comprehensive approach that includes public health messaging, community resilience, and mental health care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the link between hot weather and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people?
A: Our study found that for every 1°C rise in average daily temperature, emergency department visits by young people for suicidal thoughts and behaviors increased by 1.3%.
Q: Is the impact of climate change on mental health limited to heatwaves?
A: No, our study found that single hot days, not just heatwaves, are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people.
Q: How can we reduce the impacts of climate change on mental health?
A: We need to prioritize mental health care, community resilience, and public health messaging about heat. We must also take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.
Q: What is the role of socioeconomic disadvantage in the impact of climate change on mental health?
A: Our study found that young people in disadvantaged regions had a higher risk of presenting at emergency for suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those in more advantaged areas, even at the same temperature.
