Climate change impact on mind

A mother and daughter running through a park with trees on a sunny day. [Getty Images]

We listen to the words 'climate change' and immediately think of drought, flooding, or hot days. But there is another aspect we don't talk about enough: how climate change is affecting our mental health.

Most of us are already feeling the impact. Farmers who witness their harvests rot due to protracted droughts can feel overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, or stress.

Families that lose homes during floods can feel frightened, shocked, and even enduring trauma. When the weather conditions become unpredictable, it causes anxiety, because we do not know what the next day will be.

Climate change makes everything harder. The cost of water and food rises. There are more diseases being transmitted.

Livelihood for people who depend on agriculture, fishery, or animal husbandry becomes unreliable. These all are everyday stresses.

When people go through disasters like wildfires or floods, they may lose community, homes, or loved ones. Those experiences can lead to grief, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Even those who have not yet felt the brunt can already be anxious about what lies ahead. Some call it eco-anxiety – a fear of environmental destruction and what it will happen to our children and future generations.

Children and teenagers often feel the effects of global warming most strongly. They listen to bad news and catch adults talking about the deteriorating climate. This can make them feel despairing, angry, or deeply anxious.

Without help, these feelings can harm their mental well-being, school performance, and future optimism.

What can we do?

Remember that it is okay to talk about such emotions. Talking about them openly allows us to release stress and give each other support. We do not have to be ashamed to say that we are overwhelmed.

Communities can self-organize to help each other. Religious communities, youth communities, women's associations, and leaders can self-organize spaces where people can exchange stories and learn how to cope.

Let's integrate mental health into climate response planning. While we build dykes and plant trees to reduce climate effects, we should be preparing local health workers and community volunteers to recognise and provide care for individuals who are experiencing climate-related depression, stress, or trauma.

Lastly, every little bit helps. Tree planting, river cleaning, water conservation, and teaching others about environmental stewardship can give us a sense of purpose and optimism.

Participating in community projects not only helps the planet, but our own sanity as well.

Climate change is not only an environmental or economic issue – it's a mental health issue too. By being transparent, looking out for each other, and acting collectively, we can look after our earth and our well-being.

As the climate continues to shift, let us not forget: our mental health matters too. Looking after the earth comes hand-in-hand with looking after each other.

The writer is a mental health advocate