Older People, Mental Health, and Climate Change: From Vulnerability to Social Justice and Intergenerational Solidarity

This chapter delves into the reciprocal connections between climate change and the mental well-being of older individuals. The initial section underscores the adverse effects of climate change on the mental health of older adults. Subsequently, I explore how preexisting mental health conditions in older individuals can influence efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change. I also examine additional vulnerabilities that expose older people, particularly those with mental health conditions, to risks. These vulnerabilities operate at both individual levels, such as poverty or female gender, and societal levels, encompassing physical and social environments. The exploration extends to differences between low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). This chapter investigates the application of the theory of social justice concerning climate change and older people with mental health conditions, addressing the temporal aspects of social justice. This chapter stresses the crucial role of policy and emphasizes the responsibility of social, financial, and political institutions in safeguarding older individuals, particularly those with mental health conditions, from the risks associated with climate change.