Credit: NASA Science (NASA. (2024, October 23). The effects of climate change (K. Velev, Ed.). NASA. Science.Nasa.Gov. https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/effects/)
When we think about climate change, we often think about rising temperatures, wildfires, floods, and other environmental changes. However, climate change affects much more than the environment. It can also have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being.
Extreme heat can affect our mood, concentration, and ability to think clearly. Natural disasters, such as wildfires and floods, can cause stress, anxiety, and trauma, while displacement due to natural disasters can disrupt people’s homes, routines, communities, and support systems. These effects can be especially difficult for vulnerable groups, including children and youth, low-income communities, Indigenous communities, and people who are displaced.
In this presentation, we will explore how a changing climate can affect mental health through extreme heat, weather disasters, displacement, and trauma, and why mental health support needs to be an important part of how we respond to climate change.