Reducing the impact climate change has on mental health requires action at the individual, community and system/policy levels. While efforts to reduce climate change are essential it is also important to help people prepare for, adapt to, and cope with its effects. Building individual and community resilience, strengthening social connections, and providing people with support to help manage their climate-related stress and anxiety can help individuals and communities respond to climate-related challenges and support good mental health.
Below are a few examples of types of actions and responses that can help people lessen and adjust to climate change–related mental health problems.
System-wide
- Governments can focus on attending to the root causes of climate change and mental health. This includes proactively mitigating and responding to current and predicted mental health needs (e.g. building resiliency). It also involves an approach that centres on health equity.
- Make sure mental health is included in system-level and regional climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments
- Ensure access to culturally relevant mental health services and supports (e.g., financial) are both accessible and available, especially after climate-related emergencies.
- Include community members, Indigenous communities, young people, and people with lived experience in conversations and decision making around climate change and mental health.
Communities and services
- Develop resiliency plans in collaboration with communities.
- Build resilience and psychosocial adaptation by addressing disparities, creating a sense of community (e.g., building parks and mutual aid networks) , enhancing access to nature, enhancing social capital, preserving cultural connections and updating physical infrastructures.
- Develop emergency preparedness plans and disaster response that include mental health supports and use these for training at all levels of society.
- Increase training and knowledge on climate change for mental health professionals, teachers and other professionals who work with young people.
Individuals
- Individual action can provide a greater sense of agency and control and benefit mental well-being.
- Seek support when needed and prioritize mental well-being.
- Actions include: bolstering interpersonal relationships and connections with people and the land; fostering optimism, hope and mental wellness; making behavioural/lifestyle changes (e.g., preserving nature and reducing your climate footprint).
- Get involved in climate action through volunteering, community initiatives, advocacy, or voting.
- Develop a personal/family climate-emergency plan and kit.
