(World Economic Forum) Mental illnesses, such as depressive and anxiety disorders, are among the 25 leading drivers of global burden of diseases. More broadly, mental health includes mental wellness, emotional resilience and psychosocial wellbeing – all of which are impacted by climate change, particularly among vulnerable communities in natural-disaster prone environments, and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Extreme weather occurrences such as natural disasters have long-lasting effects on mental health outcomes through exposure to trauma, leading to post-traumatic stress disorders, major depressive disorders, anxiety, depression and self-harm. For instance, an estimated 31.2% of survivors of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina experienced anxiety-mood disorders following the disaster. Meanwhile, in natural disaster-prone Bangladesh, among the 2019 monsoon flood survivors, a staggering 57.5% had suicidal ideation, and 2% had attempted suicide.
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