Climate change: The next challenge for public mental health?

Figures & data

Table 1. Potential direct and indirect pathways through which climate change and related events impact mental health.

Type of climate events	Direct impacts	Indirect impacts
Acute or extreme weather events (e.g. hurricanes, severe storms, floods)	Exposure to danger, injury and death; acute stress and traumatic responses; increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorders	Damage/loss of home and infrastructures; disruption of community and healthcare resources; forced relocations; consequences of injury and physical co-morbidity
Subacute weather events (e.g. droughts, heat waves)	Heat-related exacerbation of pre-existing mental health issues; increased rates of violence and aggressive behaviour	Unemployment from agricultural activities; increased socio-economic disparities and community strain; relocation and urban drift
Long-term environmental changes (e.g. desertification, erosion, biodiversity loss)	Sadness, helplessness and anxiety; loss of sense of place (solace) and grief reactions	Loss of livelihoods or economic means; involuntary migration and related mental health impacts; potential for increased conflicts due to migration and resource scarcity