Climate Change and the Environment

The natural world has an enormous impact on mental health and wellbeing. Research stems from a vast array of scientific disciplines such as architecture, ecology, landscape, forestry, environmental studies, ocean studies, medicine, sport science, education and geography as well as fields more traditionally interested in mental health such as psychology, psychiatry, social work and public health. Opportunities to interact with nature can reduce mental illness and facilitate optimum mental wellbeing. Recognition of the importance of finding ways to improve the human relationship with the rest of nature for the wellbeing of people and the wider natural world is now international and reflected in responses to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, “One Health” models of human, environmental and wildlife health and clinical ecology. Many nations now embed nature experiences within health systems (e.g. green social prescribing in the UK and Canada).

Climate change, biodiversity loss, land clearance, and related environmental changes such as bushfires, droughts, floods pose serious risks to mental health and wellbeing. Many countries now include mental health support in their response to the climate crisis. Climate change poses a rising threat to mental health and psychosocial wellbeing; from emotional distress to anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD and suicidal behaviour. The WHO recommend that governments:

• integrate climate considerations with mental health programs;

• integrate mental health support with climate action;

• build upon global commitments;

• develop community-based approaches to reduce vulnerabilities; and

• close the large funding gap that exists for mental health and psychosocial support.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital and there is an urgent need to find ways to improve the human-nature relationship and the health of both planet and people, through interventions, campaigns, activities, curricula, green infrastructure and urban design. Research in this theme will go beyond understanding to application, creating accessible and effective tools for practitioners from all aspects of human-environment interaction to address health and the human-nature relationship. This research theme covers a number of interrelated requirements that consider direct impacts, indirect impacts, overarching outcomes, and the needs of rural, regional and remote communities.

Please email Manna Institute if you’d like to know more about this research group or express your interest to join here.