THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MENTAL HEALTH.

BACKGROUND

Climate change is increasingly affecting not only physical health but also mental well-being. Psychological consequences such as eco-anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following climate-related disasters are being reported with growing frequency.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

This study was conducted with mental health professionals who attended the Medforum Psychiatry Congress in 2024. A 22-question, closed-ended questionnaire was used to assess perceptions of the impact of climate change on mental health, the prevalence of eco-anxiety, and workplace preparedness for responding to climate-related disasters.

RESULTS

A total of 208 individuals participated in the survey. Of those, 51.9% rated the impact of climate change on mental health as moderate, and 13.9% considered it to be very significant. Although eco-anxiety is increasingly recognized by professionals, most admitted that they rarely encounter patients who report this issue directly.

CONCLUSIONS

Climate change affects mental health in two ways: directly, through the experience of disasters, and indirectly, by inducing chronic anxiety. Educational initiatives and the implementation of procedures to support mental health during climate-related crises are essential.