Climate Change Affects Mental Health 

The climate crisis is affecting mental health in ways no one has seen before. In response, CAMH is working alongside partners locally and around the world. 

The global climate crisis threatens our health and well-being through its direct effects (e.g., major storms and heat waves) and indirect effects (e.g., exposure to air pollution and disease). The risks are profound across physical and mental health domains (Romanello et al., 2022 [1], Cissé, McLeman, and Adams, et al., 2022 [2]). 

The broad-ranging mental health effects include increased depression and anxiety, exposure to violence, substance use and trauma. There are also far-reaching implications related to feelings of grief, helplessness and hopelessness as people struggle to remain optimistic amidst increasingly negative forecasts about the future (Zhang et al., 2021[3]).

The climate crisis is also a threat multiplier, which means it increases health inequities for many demographic groups, including: Black populations, children and youth, Indigenous Peoples, older adults, and people experiencing poverty (Berry & Schnitter, 2022 [4]). 

“50% of students surveyed in Ontario through OSDUHS are depressed about the future because of climate change [5] with other surveys showing even higher numbers.” [6] 

These challenges might seem overwhelming, but CAMH is committed to action. Whether it involves individuals or whole systems, we believe in taking action to reduce the health risks posed by the climate crisis. Furthermore, by centering on equity, we can ensure that when we make plans to mitigate health risks, we don’t leave behind the groups who are already facing systemic adversity. 

NEW: Climate Change and Mental Health CAMH FAQ – Learn more about how climate change affects our mental health, particularly those in vulnerable communities, and how our mental health systems can respond.