The climate crisis is a pressing global emergency that affects every person on the planet. Its impacts, however, are not evenly distributed and are felt most acutely in poor and unstable regions where the consequences for health and well-being are most pronounced. As Shona Whitton, Technical Advisor at the IFRC PS Centre, emphasizes, it is crucial to address the mental health and psychosocial implications of this crisis to support those who are most affected by it.
The IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (PS Centre) plays a vital role in promoting and facilitating mental health and psychosocial well-being globally. Their work involves assisting Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in building their capacity to provide mental health and psychosocial support services to those in need. The PS Centre’s focus is on identifying the climate-related mental health risks faced by populations worldwide and addressing their implications for the work of IFRC staff and volunteers.
This report highlights population groups at risk from climate-related mental health challenges, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable children, elderly people, and those living in poverty or marginalized communities. It also addresses the impact of the crisis on healthcare systems worldwide, which are increasingly under strain as they struggle to cope with the rising health risks associated with climate change.
Examples of initiatives from National Societies showcase potential approaches to addressing the mental health and psychosocial challenges that arise from the climate crisis. These include providing counseling services to help individuals cope with stress and anxiety caused by natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes; developing early warning systems that can alert communities to impending disasters; offering training programs for healthcare workers on how to identify and respond to mental health issues; establishing community-based support networks that provide emotional assistance during times of crisis; providing psychological support services to help individuals cope with long-term trauma resulting from exposure to extreme weather events; and developing sustainable livelihood programs that aim to reduce vulnerability by improving access to food security, clean water supply, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, education opportunities
