Rising temperatures trigger mental health crisis Australian study warns

Independent describes in a fresh article that an Australian study has raised alarms about the escalating mental health risks associated with rising temperatures, linking extreme heat to an increase in mental and behavioral disorders.

Published in Nature Climate Change, the study reveals that high temperatures already contribute to thousands of mental health cases annually in Australia. This toll is expected to grow significantly by 2050 as global temperatures continue to rise.

"From mild distress to serious conditions like schizophrenia, rising temperatures are making things harder for millions," said Dr. Peng Bi, lead author of the study from the University of Adelaide’s School of Public Health.

Using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), the study assesses the impact of heat on mental health, highlighting that extreme heat currently contributes to an annual loss of more than 8,450 healthy life years in Australia. This represents about 1.8 per cent of the nation’s total mental health burden.

The study cautions that this toll could increase by almost 50 per cent by 2050, as climate change drives longer and more intense heatwaves. However, the majority of the burden stems not from heat-related deaths but from individuals experiencing worsened mental health conditions, especially among those aged 15 to 44.

The study also predicts that about 8.6 million Australians will experience mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) at some point in their lives. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders are all part of the mental health burden.

"Climate change will drive up mental health challenges beyond what population growth alone would cause," co-author Dr. Jingwen Liu warns.

The research also highlights regional disparities in the effects of extreme heat. Currently, Victoria and South Australia are the most affected, with up to 2.9 per cent of their total mental health burden linked to high temperatures. By mid-century, the Northern Territory is projected to experience the highest heat-related mental health impacts, with projections suggesting over 4 per cent of its mental health burden could be linked to extreme heat by 2050.

Under a high-emissions scenario, the mental health burden from heat could increase by 49 per cent. However, with effective adaptation measures such as improved housing, early warning systems, and green spaces, this burden could be reduced.

"This isn't just about health – it's about building stronger, more resilient communities for the future," Dr. Bi emphasizes, urging policymakers to implement heat-health action plans that prioritize mental health.

As Australia faces more frequent and severe heatwaves, the study underscores the need for urgent action to address the mental health impacts of climate change.

By Naila Huseynova