This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
THE IMPACT OF THE TRIPLE PLANETARY CRISIS ON MENTAL HEALTH IN LOW AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Written by Eloïse Bodin, Céline Charveriat, Olivia Rowe and Alessandro Massazza
The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss is an escalating threat to all life on earth. At the same time, there is growing evidence that the crisis is contributing to a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety-, mood-, trauma- and stress-related disorders.
It is time for us to better understand this connection. In this report, we explore the latest literature on how climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss each impact mental health.
Where available, we focus on evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where these problems are most pronounced. We consider LMICs’ greater exposure and vulnerability to the planetary crisis, and the fragile ability of their mental health systems to cope.
We look at the most vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents, older people, women, Indigenous peoples, people living in poverty and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
The report largely focuses on describing the impact of the triple planetary crisis on mental health. Our policy briefs concentrate on some of the many possible interventions and solutions.
As the world seeks to make a just transition to a greener and cleaner future, this report aims to help make sure that transition promotes the mental health of people around the world.