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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Strategies for delivering mental health services in response to global climate change: A narrative review

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Palinkas LA, O'donnell ML, Lau W, Wong M
2020
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (22)

This narrative review examined strategies for preparedness and response to mental health impacts of three forms of climate change from a services perspective: (1) acute and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, (2) sub-acute or long-term events such as droughts and heatwaves; and (3) the prospect of long-term and permanent changes, including higher temperatures, rising sea levels, and an uninhabitable physical environment. Strategies for acute events included development and implementation of programs and practices for monitoring and treating mental health problems and strengthening individual and community resilience, training of community health workers to deliver services, and conducting inventories of available resources and assessments of at-risk populations. Additional strategies for sub-acute changes included advocacy for mitigation policies and programs and adaptation of guidelines and interventions to address the secondary impacts of sub-acute events, such as threats to livelihood, health and well-being, population displacement, environmental degradation, and civil conflict. Strategies for long-lasting changes included the implementation of evidence-based risk communication interventions that address the existing and potential threat of climate change, promoting the mental health benefits of environmental conservation, and promoting psychological growth and resilience.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

    General Exposure, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
    Global or Unspecified Location
    Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being
    • Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being: General Mental Health and Well-Being
    Review Article
    Adaptation, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Vulnerable Population: Intervention
    • Adaptation, Vulnerable Population: General Vulnerable Populations
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