A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MENTAL HEALTH IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

Climate change is a worldwide issue of urgency, threatening vulnerable societies and ecosystems, and leading to human diseases through natural disasters such as heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes. Lacking in importance is psychiatric research on mental illnesses due to climate change. The effect of climate change on mental health depends on several factors, such as local social, cultural, economic, and developmental context, spatial distribution of exposure, weather event type, duration and severity of events, and anticipated consequences for physical health and community well-being. While acute climatic change events such as hurricanes have had well-defined exposure areas and time periods, the initiation and course of mental health outcomes are obscure, and more research is needed in this pivotal field. It evaluates existing public health interventions, such as mental health service integration, community resilience programs, and policy initiatives aimed at mitigating these impacts. The findings highlight the urgent need for multidisciplinary approaches to address climate-related mental health challenges and emphasize the importance of incorporating psychological well-being into climate adaptation strategies. Recommendations for bolstering mental health systems, enhancing communication about climate change, and creating focused interventions to assist vulnerable groups are included in the review's conclusion