Addressing Climate Anxiety in India: Role of Governmental and Non-governmental Organizations
摘要
The increasing environmental challenges have posed significant risks to mental health. Climate anxiety is an emerging mental health concern in India, fuelled by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related events such as floods, droughts, air pollution, etc. This chapter seeks to explore the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in mitigating the mental health consequences of climate anxiety in India, focusing on understanding their approaches, effectiveness, and suggesting areas for improvement. The primary objective is to evaluate the initiatives introduced by these organizations to address and alleviate the psychological impact of climate change and analyze their policies, programs, and interventions aimed at raising awareness, providing emotional support, and building resilience in affected communities. The chapter adopts an Ecopsychological perspective, and incorporates the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF). An Interpretive Policy Analysis (IPA) is conducted, relying on secondary data, followed by a comparative analysis to examine the strategies of key governmental agencies and prominent non-governmental organizations. The findings reveal significant gaps and challenges in policy, practice, and coordination; both sectors face challenges such as limited funding, political constraints, and insufficient integration of mental health support within climate policies. Implications of the study include recommendations for policies for better mental health support systems and culturally sensitive interventions to reduce climate anxiety, which is critical for India’s long-term resilience to climate change.