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Background <p>Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The frequency, intensity, and severity of extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and droughts—are increasing, with both direct and indirect consequences for human physical and mental health. However, there is a notable gap in psychiatric research regarding mental disorders linked to climate change.</p> Methods <p>A comprehensive review of literature available in English was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. This study examines the association between classic psychiatric disorders—including anxiety, schizophrenia, mood disorders, depression, aggressive behaviours, and distress due to the loss of familiar landscapes-and the impact of climate change and extreme weather events.</p> Results <p>The search identified 80 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. The studies primarily focused on four extreme weather events: global warming, bushfires, floods, and droughts. The majority of studies reported a positive correlation between extreme global warming and mental health disorders. Bushfires were associated with an increased prevalence of depression and anxiety, while the relationship between floods and mental illness was inconsistent, although there was evidence suggesting a worsening of mental health following flood exposure.</p> Conclusions <p>Climate change affects large populations across diverse geographical regions, posing multiple threats to public health. Furthermore, vulnerable groups—those directly exposed to extreme weather events and those with limited access to resources, information, and protective measures—are disproportionately impacted. Most studies reviewed indicate that global warming, droughts, bushfires, and floods are likely to negatively affect mental health, though some associations remain inconclusive. Further high-quality, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and to investigate the mental health effects of other extreme weather events worldwide.</p>

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The indirect consequences of climate change and extreme environmental events on mental health: a literature review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月11日

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  • Sara Maria Barbani

摘要

Background

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The frequency, intensity, and severity of extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and droughts—are increasing, with both direct and indirect consequences for human physical and mental health. However, there is a notable gap in psychiatric research regarding mental disorders linked to climate change.

Methods

A comprehensive review of literature available in English was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. This study examines the association between classic psychiatric disorders—including anxiety, schizophrenia, mood disorders, depression, aggressive behaviours, and distress due to the loss of familiar landscapes-and the impact of climate change and extreme weather events.

Results

The search identified 80 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. The studies primarily focused on four extreme weather events: global warming, bushfires, floods, and droughts. The majority of studies reported a positive correlation between extreme global warming and mental health disorders. Bushfires were associated with an increased prevalence of depression and anxiety, while the relationship between floods and mental illness was inconsistent, although there was evidence suggesting a worsening of mental health following flood exposure.

Conclusions

Climate change affects large populations across diverse geographical regions, posing multiple threats to public health. Furthermore, vulnerable groups—those directly exposed to extreme weather events and those with limited access to resources, information, and protective measures—are disproportionately impacted. Most studies reviewed indicate that global warming, droughts, bushfires, and floods are likely to negatively affect mental health, though some associations remain inconclusive. Further high-quality, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and to investigate the mental health effects of other extreme weather events worldwide.