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Climate change and mental health

Climate change and mental health. Public Hearings on the Political, Economic, Legal, Gender and Social Impacts of Climate Change 17 - 18 November 2009. Outline of presentation. Importance of mental health as a human development issue

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Climate change and mental health

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  1. Climate change and mental health Public Hearings on the Political, Economic, Legal, Gender and Social Impacts of Climate Change 17 - 18 November 2009

  2. Outline of presentation • Importance of mental health as a human development issue • Review the evidence from other parts of the world examining the impact of climate change on mental health. • Significance of maintaining population mental health and well-being as a means of achieving human development in the face of climate change.

  3. What is mental health? • Mental health is central to human development. • WHO: “ a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

  4. High stressors Reduced access to social capital/safety net Malnutrition Obstetric risks Violence and trauma • 1 in 6 South Africans suffer from depression, anxiety or substance use disorders. • Approximately 1 in 3 pregnant or post-partum mothers have depression in SA. • 17% of children and adolescents in the WCape have mental disorders. Poverty Mental ill-health Increased health expenditure Social exclusion Loss of employment Reduced Productivity Social drift

  5. Impact of climate change on mental well-being Diarrhoea Malaria Domestic violence Child abuse Injury Loss of housing Unstable shelter Displacement Lack of support services Employment Extreme weather events Climate change Poor mental health Long term weather changes e.g. drought Job loss Food insecurity Displacement and migration Water supply and sanitation Malnutrition Stunting Developmental delay

  6. Impact in South Africa • Significant concerns for individual and community mental health and well-being • Vulnerable populations, e.g. those living in poverty, likely to be most affected. • Climate change will exacerbate inequalities between rich and poor • Impact upon existing development processes • Negative effect on social networks and community systems

  7. Mental health and mitigating impact of climate change • Mental health crucial to human development • Psychological resilience to effects of climate change • Adaptive capacity of communities

  8. Recommendations • Increased recognition of mental health as as central to human development i.e. mainstreaming of mental health issues. • Increased investment in mental health promotion. • Integration of mental health concerns into climate change reduction programmes.

  9. Recommendations • Integration of mental health issues into disaster response planning, including for those with pre-existing conditions. • Investment in research about climate change and mental health and well-being. • Including mental health indicators into climate change surveillance systems.

  10. A “make or break” opportunity …the spirit that freed South Africa must now rescue the planet… Desmond Tutu 23rd October 2009

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