Health
By Kennedy Nnamani
THE World Health Organization, WHO, today warned that climate change is posing serious risk to mental health and global well-being.
This was stated in a statement from a conference in Stockholm, Sweden to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UN Conference on the Human Environment.
In the statement, the world apex health body noted that climate change affects many of the social determinants that are already leading to massive mental health burdens globally.
It also stated that the mental health impacts of climate change are unequally distributed with certain groups disproportionately affected depending on factors such as socioeconomic status, gender and age.
According to DévoraKestel, WHO Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the impact of climate change is compounding the already extremely challenging situation for mental health and mental health services globally.
“There are nearly 1 billion people living with mental health conditions, yet in low- and middle-income countries, 3 out of 4 do not have access to needed services,” he said.
While alluding to the recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health stated that “the impacts of climate change are increasingly part of our daily lives, and there is very little dedicated mental health support available for people and communities dealing with climate-related hazards and long-term risk.”
In the same vein, Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, WHO climate lead, and an IPCC lead author assured that the IPCC is working closely with countries to protect people’s physical and mental health from climate threats.
Meanwhile, the WHO, in its new policy brief has recommended five important approaches for governments to address the mental health impacts of climate change:
· integrate climate considerations with mental health programs;
· integrate mental health support with climate action;
· build upon global commitments;
· develop community-based approaches to reduce vulnerabilities; and
· close the large funding gap that exists for mental health and psychosocial support.
KN
Tags: Dévora Kestel Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum Dr Maria Neira Kennedy Nnamani
