Climate heatwaves and mental health in Asia: Exemplars and insights from the Philippines

Climate change is intensifying heatwaves across Asia, with significant implications for mental health. The Philippines, a highly climate-vulnerable country, illustrates how rising temperatures interact with social and health system challenges. Extreme heat contributes to irritability, sleep disruption, and worsening psychiatric conditions, while urban density and socioeconomic inequalities amplify these effects. Seasonal transitions do not relieve stress but transform it, as heat-related exhaustion carries over into seasons marked by flooding, typhoons, and uncertainty, as seen during Typhoon Haiyan. Despite progress under the Mental Health Act, gaps in access and preparedness remain, highlighting the need for climate-informed mental health strategies.