Climate action must include mental health - WHO

Climate change poses serious risks for mental health and well-being,

The findings concur with a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in February this year. The IPPC revealed that rapidly increasing climate change poses a rising threat to mental health and psychosocial well-being; from emotional distress to anxiety, depression, grief, and suicidal behavior.

Why mental health is a priority for climate action - WHO

The new WHO policy brief recommends 5 important approaches for governments to address the mental health impacts of climate change: 

• integrate climate considerations with mental health programmes;
• integrate mental health support with climate action;
• build upon global commitments;
• develop community-based approaches to reduce vulnerabilities; and
• close the large funding gap that exists for mental health and psychosocial support.