Extreme heat is a threat to mental health

Rising temperatures throughout Australia can increase the burden of mental and behavioral disorders (MBD) by almost 50% by 2050, according to a new study from the University of Adelaide. The research emphasizes the urgent need to act now to protect mental health as the climate warms up.

Published in Nature climate changethe study shows that high temperatures have contributed to an annual loss of 8458 for the disabled person-corrected life years (Dalys), which represents 1.8% of the total MBD burden in Australia. Young Australians aged 15 to 44 are particularly affected, with most losses related to life with poor mental health.

“The harmful effects of climate change on good mental health and emotional situations are increasingly recognized worldwide, and it is only getting worse unless we act,” said Chest author PENG BI, of the School of Public Health of the University.

MBDs include a broad spectrum of symptoms associated with emergency or disorders in important functional areas, including the emotional regulation, cognition or behavior of an individual, and include anxiety, depressed, bipolar affective, schizophrenia, alcohol consumption and other mental and drugs.

“From mild need to serious conditions such as schizophrenia, rising temperatures make it more difficult for millions of things,” said Professor Bi.

The study, based on data from the Australian database of diseases, showed that warmer regions, such as those closer to the equator, have higher risks.

The Northern Territory had the highest predicted relative risk as well as the highest average threshold temperature, while South Australia and Victoria had the highest share of the costs due to high temperature, with 2.9% (62.6 Dalys per 100,000) and 2.2% (51.1 Dalys per 100,000 respectively), respectively),

“These results underline the crucial role of policymakers in the development of targeted public health interventions to minimize the rise of mental health effects of climate change, given the important human, social and financial consequences,” said Professor BI.

“About 8.6 million Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience an MBD during their lives. Factors such as income, access to health care and local circumstances determine how warmth influences mental health, with some areas becoming harder than others.”

“Our findings show that climate change will rise the challenges for mental health above what the population growth would only cause,” said first author Dr. Jingwen Liu.

“Young people, who often face these problems early in life, mainly run the risk as the climate crisis deteriorates.”

The researchers ask for immediate action, including action of the heat health care plans to prepare health care systems for rising needs in the field of mental health care, localized solutions, such as community programs and green spaces to build resilience and support for vulnerable groups, to ensure that they are most in danger.

“Policy makers must perform with targeted, human -oriented strategies to protect mental health as the temperature climbs,” said Professor Bi.

“This is not just about health – it is about building stronger, more resilient communities for the future.”