Navigating Climate Trauma: Mental Health Resilience and Adaptation Strategies in Fiji’s Climate-Vulnerable Communities

This chapter elaborates on the interconnection between climate change and mental health trauma in vulnerable communities in Fiji. With an in-depth study of existing literature and policy frameworks, the chapter reveals how the impacts of climate change, like rising sea levels, extreme weather events, forced relocation and livelihood instability, impact the psychological health of the Fijian communities. Indigenous Fijians are connected to their ancestral land, which is a cultural drawback in the relocation of communities; this eventually leads to mental health trauma. Youths are also victims of mental health trauma caused by climate change, as it poses a future insecurity. This chapter analyses the current strategies in place in Fiji to adapt and ensure resilience to climate mental health trauma. Fiji’s response, such as Mental Health Decree 2010, National Adaptation Plan, and Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund, are some of the strategies currently in place. The findings highlight that there is a need for an upgrade in the health care facilities with more services in mental health and implementation of community consultations to better understand the various challenges faced at the community level; this will allow to make better strategies and decisions. This chapter contributes to the crucial topic of climate-related mental health.