Detrimental Effect of Climate Change on Mental Health

Climate change is recognized as a significant threat to biological subjects and global health, including mental health. Rising temperatures, extreme weather occurrences and altered ecosystems negatively impact mental health. People who have been affected by detrimental effects of climate change, including heat waves, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, glaciers, changes in agricultural conditions and river disappearance, are more likely to develop increased mental problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, grief, stress, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts and despair. Rising ambient temperatures are also expected to increase rates of aggression and violent suicides. This review delves into the detrimental effects of climate change on mental health, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental, psychological and social factors. Climate change induced shifting land use and residence, eroding facilities, causing financial and relationship stress and displacing entire communities. Moreover, psychiatric research on mental illnesses associated with climate change is conspicuously lacking.