[/QUOTE]
Climate change[/B] poses serious risks to mental health and well-being, says a policy brief presented by the World Health Organization at last week's climate conference in Stockholm and republished by the United Nations Environment Programme.
The Agency urges countries to include supportive mental health services in measures to address the climate crisis, citing examples where some pioneering countries have done so effectively.
The findings are consistent with a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in February.
According to the IPCC, climate change is a growing threat to mental health and psychosocial well-being, causing emotional distress, anxiety, depression, sadness and suicidal behaviour.
"The impacts of climate change are increasingly part of our daily lives and there is very little specialist mental health support available for communities facing climate-related and long-term risks," said Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department. Environment, Climate Change and Health at WHO.
A WHO 2021 survey of 95 countries found that only 9 have so far included mental health and psychosocial support in their national climate change plans.
Experts believe that by strengthening mental health and psychosocial support in the context of climate change risk reduction, countries can do more to help protect those most at risk.
The new WHO policy brief recommends 5 important approaches for governments to address the mental health impacts of climate change including integrating the climate dimension into mental health programmes and measures to close the large funding gap that exists for mental health and psychosocial support.
Experts cite examples from countries such as the Philippines where authorities rebuilt and improved their mental health services after the impact of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 or India, where a national project is working to reduce disaster risk in the country while preparing cities to respond to climate risks and address mental and psychosocial needs.
The Stockholm Conference commemorated the 50th anniversary of the UN Conference on the Human Environment.
Source: Cyprus Times
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
