Overview of the climate change and mental health report
The report produced by UKHSA climate scientists reviews evidence on how climate change affects mental health and the interventions that protect and improve it.
Applies to England
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Topic: health impacts
Part of: Climate change and mental health
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Overview of the climate change and mental health report
How and why the report was produced
Under the Climate Change Act (2008) the UK Government is obliged to produce a Climate Change Risk Assessment (CRRA) every 5 years. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) sets out the actions the UK will take to adapt to climate change over the following 5 years. The climate change and mental health report meets a commitment made in the third NAP to provide estimates of the direct and indirect climate impacts in the UK, to support action.
This thematic assessment report updates the evidence base on the mental health impacts of climate change and extreme weather in the UK. Mental health was chosen as a priority topic for the first thematic report because in the UK the greatest health impact of flooding is on mental health. The literature on how mental health is impacted by climate change has also expanded rapidly in recent years. Whilst mental health was briefly touched upon in certain chapters of the fourth Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK report published in 2023, it was highlighted as a health effect where an assessment of the evidence was required.
The report, which also includes UK primary studies, is based on an umbrella review (a review of reviews) of the pathways between climate change and mental health, and a systematic review of the interventions that can improve and protect mental health in a changing climate. It also provides case studies that demonstrate the provision of mental health interventions in response to climate change and extreme weather events in the UK, submitted as part of a call for evidence.
An assessment of confidence in the evidence was undertaken by the report authors using an adapted GRADE-CERQual approach (see figure 1). Throughout the report there are references to the levels of confidence in the evidence - high, moderate, low and very low. The full list of statements with their associated confidence assessments can be found in the summary of findings. The purpose of the confidence ratings is to help readers to understand how confident we can be in each of the report’s findings, based on the strength of the available evidence.
The assessment involves considering 4 factors to decide how much confidence to place in the findings, these are:
- the quality of the methods used to produce the evidence (methodological limitations)
- whether there is a difference between the data and the findings (coherence)
- the quantity and quality of the information (adequacy of data)
- how relevant it is to the research question (relevance)
Figure 1. Simplified diagram of the GRADE-CERQual confidence assessment approach, adapted from GRADE CERQual (2018)
See CERQual: ‘Overall confidence in the evidence’.
What the report says
Climate change can affect mental health through direct impacts such as exposures to extreme weather events like flooding and wildfires, and indirectly through related risks such as food insecurity, housing instability, and eco-anxiety (distress in response to ecological issues). These effects are unevenly distributed, worsening existing inequalities.
Those most at risk include children and young people, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, certain occupational groups such as farmers and front-line responders and those with mental or physical health conditions. The evidence shows that climate-related mental health impacts can be long-lasting and will increase pressure on health and social care systems.
Whilst the evidence on mental health interventions in relation to climate change is increasing and there is evidence showing benefits from mental health support, community interventions and structural adaptations, more research in this area is needed.
The report provides a detailed overview and assessment of the impacts of climate change on mental health for the UK and should be used for preparing and building resilience as the world continues to warm as it is predicted to do by scientists.
Main messages for policymakers
- Climate change is impacting mental health:
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largely through extreme weather
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impacts include suicide, depression and anxiety
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more research is needed but impacts are likely to worsen as the climate warms further
2. There is evidence for interventions to protect population health:
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both individual and community resilience is needed
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taking part in environmental action can help
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targeted support for communities affected by adverse weather can be beneficial
3. There is more that can be done to protect our mental health:
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long-term and acute health impacts should be considered
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more research is needed to evaluate interventions
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cost effective analyses are needed
Further details on each of these headline messages are available in the summary for policymakers.
Figure 2. Climate change and mental health: main messages
