While there is often mention of the effect of climate change on physical health, its major impact on mental health has not yet received the attention it deserves. The IEPA would like harmful impacts of climate change on mental health to be recognised globally and argue that it is an important target for early intervention in mental health. 

A CALL TO ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, A THREAT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AROUND THE WORLD

IEPA Early Intervention in Mental Health is a non-profit international network for those involved in the study and treatment of the early phases of mental health disorders encompassing a trans-diagnostic approach. The members of this association aim to develop better treatment and early detection strategies to improve outcomes of mental disorders.

It is now obvious that climate change and global warming have a major negative impact on mental health: directly during natural disasters, progressively in the context of environmental changes modifying living conditions of populations and access to resources, and indirectly across the world and especially in younger populations who are extremely anxious about their future.

Recent data suggests that shifting from monthly temperatures between 25 °C and 30 °C to temperatures above 30 °C increases the probability of mental health difficulties by 0.5% points, and that 1°C of 5-year warming is associated with a 2% point increase in the prevalence of mental health issues (Obradovich et al. PNAS 2018).

Fighting against climate change is therefore an important target for early intervention and an urgent priority to preserve mental health of populations around the world.

Through their signature, the following members, partner organisations and supporters of IEPA want with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), to raise awareness of governments about the emergency to act in this regard. This call to action and petition will be presented to WHO representatives who will attend the IEPA14 14th International Conference on Early Intervention in Mental Health in Lausanne, July 10th-12th 2023