The document noted that the rapid increase in climate change poses a growing threat to mental health and psychosocial well-being issues; from emotional distress to anxiety, depression, grief and suicidal tendencies.
“The impacts of climate change are increasingly part of our daily lives, and there is very little dedicated mental health support available for individuals and communities to deal with climate-related dangers and long-term risks.” said Maria Neira, director of the WHO Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health in a statement released today.
The conclusions coincide with a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in February this year.
Additionally, the report noted that “mental health impacts of climate change are unevenly distributed, with certain groups being disproportionately affected based on factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, and age.”
“However,” the WHO said, “it is clear that climate change affects many of the social determinants that are already leading to massive mental health burdens globally.”
In a 2021 WHO survey, out of 95 countries only nine have included mental health and psychosocial support in their national health and climate change plans.
“The impact of climate change is compounding the already extremely challenging situation for mental health and mental health services globally. There are almost a billion people living with mental health problems but in low- and middle-income countries, 3 out of 4 do not have access to the necessary services,” said Dévora Kestel, director of the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
In that framework, he added: “By incorporating mental health and psychosocial support into disaster risk reduction and climate action, countries can do more to help protect those most at risk.”
The agency highlighted the Philippines as an example, which has rebuilt and improved its mental health services after the impact of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, or India, “where a national project has managed to improve disaster risk reduction in the country and, at the same time, time, prepare cities to respond to climate risks, and address mental health and psychosocial needs.
In this context, WHO recommended five approaches for governments in all countries: integrate climate considerations with mental health programs; integrate mental health support with climate action; build on global commitments; develop community-based approaches to reduce vulnerabilities and close the large funding gap that exists for mental health and psychosocial support.
The Stockholm Conference commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and recognizes the importance of environmental determinants for physical and mental health.
Source: Ambito
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