Interventions for mental health in relation to climate change: a rapid systematic living review protocol

This living rapid review is being conducted to support guidance and decision-making on provision of interventions for mental health in relation to climate change. Climate change is a primary context in which health will need to be protected, requiring continuous adaptation as climate change progresses. For the UK, climate-related risks are projected to increase through factors such as rising ambient temperatures and greater frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as flooding. Increased climate risks will substantially affect health and wellbeing, in relation to both physical and mental health, which, in turn will impact health and social care systems within the UK. Mental health can be impacted by climate change both directly and indirectly through various mediating pathways identified for both acute extreme weather events and slower-onset, longer lasting events. For example, there are clear links between flooding and mental health impacts, with impacts lasting far longer than the duration of the event itself. There are links between greater suicide risk and higher mental health-related hospital attendance associated with increases in ambient temperature. With projections stating there will likely be an increase in frequency and intensity of these acute weather events due to climate change, it is likely that mental health impacts will also increase, which will result in higher health and social care demand and cost in future. Climate change affects the wider determinants of health, including compromised access to food, livelihoods, income security, and home security, all of which can have a knock-on effect on mental health. An awareness of climate and environmental change can also lead to emotional or psychological responses, such as eco-anxiety, a term used to describe the distress and worry caused by the threat of climate change, and solastalgia, which refers to the distress experienced because of environmental change (including climate change) negatively impacting on someone’s home or sense of place. It is likely that climate mitigation and adaptation activities will create both risks and opportunities for mental health through the changing of both natural and built environments. Interventions to minimise these impacts on mental health will be vital for adaptation efforts as our climate changes. A living approach is necessary to address ongoing reporting requirements and adapt to the evolving evidence base, while rapid methodology facilitates efficient workflow and ensures evidence is delivered within necessary timeframes. This review looks at updating the initial ‘Climate change and mental health: thematic assessment report’ interventions review. Objectives 1) To assess the evidence base for interventions for mental health in relation to climate change or climate related events.