Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
By Aayushi Sharma
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on member countries in the Southeast Asia Region to strengthen their mental health systems in response to the growing impact of climate change on mental health and psychosocial well-being. This urgent plea was made by Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, during the opening of a regional workshop titled ‘Strengthening Capacity of Countries to Address the Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health,’.
“Climate change exacerbates many social, environmental, and economic risk factors for mental health and psychosocial well-being. Among WHO regions, South-East Asia is most vulnerable to this,” Wazed stated in her opening remarks. She highlighted that the region faces unique challenges due to its vulnerability to climate change, which significantly impacts mental health. Wazed emphasized the need for urgent action, noting that there is a significant gap in both the understanding of and response to climate change’s effects on mental health.
She called for greater collaboration between climate and mental health officials from member states to accelerate efforts in addressing these challenges. “There is a large gap in both knowledge of, and response to, climate change’s impact on mental health,” she said, urging for joint efforts to bridge this gap.
The WHO has outlined five key approaches to help member states strengthen their mental health services in response to climate change. These approaches include integrating climate change considerations into mental health policies, incorporating mental health support into climate change programs, building on global commitments, adopting multi-sectoral and community-based approaches, and addressing funding gaps in both mental health services and climate change response.
These recommendations are part of a broader effort by the WHO South-East Asia Region to enhance mental health services in the region. The WHO South-East Asia Region’s Action Plan for Mental Health offers various options to improve community mental health services and advocates for policy updates in line with international human rights standards.
The region has a history of addressing the intersection of health and climate change. In 2017, member states adopted the Malé Declaration, which focuses on building health system resilience to climate change. In 2022, the region endorsed the Paro Declaration, which commits to ensuring universal access to people-centered mental health care and services.
In 2023, CFC India’s survey found that about 72% of the respondents have suffered from climate anxiety at some point in their lives.
Climate anxiety is psychological stress that one feels due to worrying about the changing nature of weather and climate and their possible consequences on one’s life. It can lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, panic attacks, irritability, insomnia, and weakness. Despite the number of responses being limited, the survey gives an idea that respondents do believe in early warning systems and look forward to receiving weather-related information. The people in India go through psychological stress due to events triggered by climate change sometimes, especially the young generation.
References:
72% respondents faced Climate Anxiety at some point: CFC India Survey
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