One mental health: the impact of climate change on mental well-being

Research on the psychological effects of environmental problems is not starting from scratch. It is already known that "natural disasters are associated with an increase in depression, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related disorders," says DZPG spokesperson Meyer-Lindenberg. This increase is particularly noticeable in areas where many people have been directly affected by a disaster, such as floods in the Ahr Valley, Saarland, or Bavaria, and beyond. This has been well-researched, for example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In addition to trauma-related disorders, there are indirect consequences of climate change, such as food shortages, economic crises, violent conflicts, and involuntary migration. These are also psychological risk and stress factors that can lead to uncertainty and fear even before they occur, and afterward, to trauma.

Global warming, plastic, overfishing: withdrawing from the overwhelming scale of problems is becoming harder

In addition to the above factors, the current ecological crisis brings other consequences such as grief over the loss of an intact environment ("solastalgia") and the fear of an uncertain future, also known as "climate anxiety." DZPG spokesperson Andreas Heinz explains: "Humanity is not only facing the problem of global warming and its consequences. There is also the loss of biodiversity, the plastic crisis in the oceans, overfishing, soil over-fertilization, and the poor condition of forests. No matter where people look, they see the destruction of habitats that once offered carefree nature experiences. This makes relaxation difficult and burdens the soul, and this is where we at DZPG need to continue our research: What increases resilience? Who is particularly at risk?" Without prevention and effective tools against the psychological consequences of environmental destruction, significant economic damage due to mental illnesses is also at risk.

There are also still questions regarding care. "Even though symptoms such as anxiety disorders are often treatable, the fundamental problem – the state of the environment – is not a traumatic event from the past, but a rational concern," Andreas Heinz explains. Unlike a violent childhood, for example, which victims can put behind them, environmental destruction does not stop, and spatial or temporal distance is not available as a therapeutic tool.

Ecological handprint can increase resilience

However, people are not powerless in the face of their emotions, says Meyer-Lindenberg. One way is to increase one's "ecological handprint" and become aware of one's ability to influence change. "Meaningful work or volunteering that counter the environmental crisis, and a lifestyle that does not ignore present-day problems, can be an effective step against despair." While one cannot solve the environmental crisis alone, the effort to act against it with one's behavior and initiative can increase personal mental resilience.

One mental health hub

The WHO's One Health approach examines the connections between humans, animals, plants, and their shared environment. While this currently focuses on physical health, DZPG is extending this concept to mental health, aiming to better research the interaction with the environment and develop new treatment and prevention approaches based on this research. The focal point of these research activities will be the One Mental Health Hub, which is scheduled to be established in 2025.

Press Contact

Dr. Cordula Baums
MASTERMEDIA GmbH
+49  151 70125839
presse@dzpg.org