Mental health and climate change in the UK: call for evidence
Call for evidence description
Climate change is having a substantial impact on both physical and mental health and will continue to do so in the future as increased frequency and intensity of climate related events (such as heatwaves, flooding, and droughts) occur. Mental health can be impacted both directly and indirectly by climate change through various pathways from exposure to acute extreme weather events and slower-onset longer lasting events. Climate change can also have psychological implications through growing awareness of the issue, leading to psychological distress.
With mental health issues already impacting a significant proportion of the UK population, climate change could exacerbate existing challenges, and introduce new challenges for population mental health and in turn, health services.
Preparing and adapting for psychosocial resilience in the face of a changing climate will be imperative for protecting population health in the future and building resilience in the health system.
Background to this call for evidence
Over the last few years, the volume and pace of published literature on the mental health impacts of climate change has dramatically increased. Not only is it difficult for stakeholders working in climate and health to access the most up-to-date, high-quality information in this growing and frequently changing body of knowledge, but it is vital that the evidence and guidance produced effectively addresses the needs of stakeholders and is presented in a way that is usable to inform action.
Therefore, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is producing a thematic report detailing the impacts of climate change on mental health in the UK. The thematic report will:
- investigate the pathways between climate change and mental health impacts in relation to the UK
- identify populations most at risk from the mental health impacts of climate change
- investigate the evidence for mental health interventions and adaptations in relation to climate change both within the UK and applicable for the UK
This request for case studies is to focus on the solutions and/or interventions part of the report. Whilst the report will assess published literature and evidence for mental health interventions or adaptations in relation to climate change in the UK, we recognise that there may be case studies which are not available in the public domain. We are therefore keen to receive any submissions of case studies which demonstrate provision of mental health intervention in relation to climate change and extreme weather events.
The term ‘intervention’ is used here to describe strategies, tools, resources, programmes, practices, or approaches that aim to support mental health challenges in relation to climate change. Whilst interventions could be clinical or non-clinical, they will ideally be designed at the population or group level but can be targeted at any level, such as individual, community or the wider system. We welcome case studies from across the UK and encourage any additional information in relation to evaluation and feedback of these where possible.
How to respond
Please submit a case study by filling out the questionnaire. The deadline for responses to this call for case studies is 17 January 2025.
Input is encouraged from a wide range of stakeholders working across the health and care sector including those working in the NHS, mental health charities, local authorities and across government and the wider public health system.
Examples of the types of things we are looking for:
- real observations, not modelling outputs
- focusing on the solutions rather than the problem
- strategies, tools, resources, programmes, practices or approaches that support mental health challenges in relation to adverse weather and climate change with either a clinical or non-clinical focus
- where possible, include methods of evaluation, including feedback
If you would like to discuss the relevancy of your work further or have any questions at all, please contact us at climate.change@ukhsa.gov.uk with ‘Mental Health and Climate Change’ in the subject so we can direct your query to the right person.
Next steps
The case studies gathered through this exercise will help to inform the mental health and climate change thematic report and increase the evidence base around interventions for mental health in relation to climate change.
There will be an opportunity for expert review of the draft report. If you would like to be involved in this process, please contact climate.change@ukhsa.gov.uk with ‘Mental Health and Climate Change’ in the subject.
Privacy notice
All information is volunteered directly from yourself as the survey participant. For more details on how we store and protect your information, see UKHSA’s privacy notice.