MENTAL DISORDERS IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. ECOPSYCHIATRY AS A NEW DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC DIRECTION

Introduction. The article explores the psychological consequences of climate change on individuals and communities, emphasizing the development and exacerbation of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and climate-related anxiety (eco-anxiety). It highlights the need for innovative approaches to understanding and addressing these challenges. Methods. A review of the available scientific literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The keywords applied included: “climate change”, “climate crisis”, “ecopsychiatry”, “mental health”, “solastalgia”, and “eco-anxiety”. Results. The analysis demonstrates the significant impact of environmental instability, natural disasters, and habitat loss on emotional and psychological well-being. It also identifies ecopsychiatry as a promising, holistic framework that links mental health care with environmental factors. Practical examples of ecopsychiatric interventions are outlined, showing their potential in enhancing resilience and mitigating climate-related distress. Conclusions. Climate change poses a growing risk to public mental health, demanding interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of ecological perspectives into psychiatric practice. Ecopsychiatry offers an innovative diagnostic and therapeutic direction that can strengthen mental resilience in the era of climatic crises.