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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Climate Change and Mental Health

BSMS > Research > Clinical Neuroscience > Centre for Dementia Studies > Research > CEDAR-lab > Climate Change and Mental Health

Climate Change and Mental Health

Climate Change and Mental Health

Coastal communities are on the frontline of climate change, facing significant threats from flooding, storms, and extreme temperatures. These environmental stressors not only threaten physical safety and infrastructure but also have profound impacts on mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The interconnected nature of environmental and mental health weighs the need for comprehensive research to develop effective systems to support strategies for physical, cognitive, and psychosocial resilience.

 

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About

The project aims to explore the impact of climate change on mental health in coastal communities in the Southeast of England. Our study will focus on understanding how rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and environmental degradation affect the psychological wellbeing of residents in these vulnerable areas. The project is conducted in collaboration with the University of Brighton and ARC Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.

What we do know

  1. Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, have been linked to immediate and long-term mental health issues. These climate-changing events can cause trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  2. Gradual environmental changes, such as rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and heat waves, contribute to chronic stress and mental health problems.
  3. People living in affected areas often experience anxiety over potential displacement, loss of livelihood, and uncertainty about the future. This stress can lead to higher rates of depression and suicide in farming communities.

What we don’t know

  • While we know that extreme weather events and gradual environmental changes affect mental health, the specific impacts of these different types of stressors on mental health in coastal areas are not well-documented.
  • The specific subpopulations within coastal communities that are most vulnerable to mental health impacts.
  • There is a lack of longitudinal studies tracking the mental health of coastal residents over time as they experience the impacts of climate change. 

What we will do in this study

To investigate the above questions, we aim to evaluate the prevalence and types of mental health issues among residents of coastal communities. We will conduct quantitative and qualitative interviews with various vulnerable populations, such as those with low incomes or living with chronic conditions such as dementia, stroke, high blood pressure, or diabetes, in coastal communities in the Southeast of England.

 

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