Climate Change and Mental Health

One of the most important issues our world currently faces is global warming. While there appears to be no shortage of research exploring the environmental effects of climate change, what about its psychological effects on people? In a study discussed in detail here, researchers determined that the way people were affected mentally and emotionally by climate change depended on what type of particular concern they had regarding the environment. Results showed that those who were most concerned about the planet’s plants and animals (biospheric concern) experienced more stress than those who were concerned about the environment’s effects on the individual as well as those whose concerns focused more on humanity in general. In a wonderful article written by David Pollack, MD, a nationally known community-focused psychiatrist, he discusses various aspects of our changing climate and mental health including, but not limited to, the connection between climate change and an individual’s mental health, clinical areas to more fully understand and treat, and education and research goals. In reference to climate and health connections, Dr. Pollack discusses the seriousness of global warming and how it directly affects the physical and mental health of individuals. He says: They [health effects of climate change] encompass the creation, exacerbation, and complication of conditions involving almost all organ systems of humans and most other biological fauna and flora. The mental hea...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Psychology Research Stress Suicide Trauma Climate Change Environment Global Warming Hurricanes Natural Disaster Source Type: blogs