Addressing Mental Health in a Changing Climate: Incorporating Mental Health Indicators into Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Aug 22;15(9):1806. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15091806.

Abstract

A growing number of health authorities around the world are conducting climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments; however, few explore impacts and adaptations related to mental health. We argue for an expanded conceptualization of health that includes both the physiological and psychological aspects of climate change and health. Through a review of the global literature on mental health and climate change, this analytical review explores how mental health can be integrated into climate change and health vulnerability assessments and concludes with recommendations for integrating mental health within climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments.

Keywords: assessment; climate change; mental health; vulnerability.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Climate Change*
  • Environmental Health*
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health*
  • Policy Making