Mental Health

Climate Change and Mental Health

Climate change is becoming an increasing threat to mental health. Events such as wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and droughts can lead to anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. Climate change can affect people directly by causing disasters or the loss of homes, and indirectly through financial stress, displacement, and the loss of jobs or community connections. It can also cause eco-anxiety, which is fear or worry about climate change and the future.

A 2026 review of 49 studies from 25 countries found strong connections between climate-related events and mental health problems. The estimated impacts included 32% psychological stress, 31% anxiety, 28% depression, and 23% PTSD. Extreme heat can also worsen mental health symptoms and increase the need for mental health care. People who are already vulnerable, including children and youth, low-income communities, and Indigenous communities, may experience greater impacts.

Canadian Teen Case Study

A study of 804 Canadian adolescents aged 13 to 18 examined how climate change was affecting their mental health. 37% of the teens reported that climate change was affecting their mental health either “a little” or “a lot.” Teens described anxiety, depression, fear about the future, and feelings of powerlessness. Some participants specifically connected their experiences to wildfires and extreme heat.

A 2026 Public Health Agency of Canada review of 72 Canadian studies also found that anxiety, depression, and PTSD were common mental health outcomes following climate-related events, particularly wildfires and floods.

Conclusion

Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a mental health and public health issue. Canadian research shows that young people are already experiencing psychological effects from climate change. Climate adaptation and disaster-response plans should therefore include accessible mental health support, especially for vulnerable communities.