Climate Change and Mental Health from a Developmental and Life Course Perspective

Climate change continues to cause extreme weather events such as wildfires, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and hurricanes with increased frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial distribution. In addition to their immediate physical health impacts, these extreme weather events directly and indirectly contribute to short- and long-term mental health complications, especially in underserved populations who are already burdened by other stressors. Evidence shows that exposures during periods with developmental plasticity have the strongest implications and that the effects may accumulate over the life course and potentially across generations. This chapter describes the current evidence linking climate change and mental health outcomes through a developmental and life course perspective. It will also discuss the existing challenges and opportunities for efforts aimed at addressing the health impacts of climate change.