The Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change: A Review of the Current Evidence and Emerging Challenges

Climate change is an increasing global threat with clear mental health implications. Its effects are manifested in both direct and indirect ways. Direct effects include post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression after a flood, hurricane, or fire. The indirect effects are more persistent and stem from displacement, economic insecurity, social degradation, and loss of cultural identity. This burden on mental health is not distributed equally. The low-income groups, minorities, and children are at particular risk because of existing social and health inequalities. Eco-anxiety, defined as a persistent concern about the degradation of the environment and its future damage, is increasingly reported, especially among younger populations. Peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025 was identified through a systematic search on PubMed and Google Scholar and synthesised narratively to investigate the effects of climate on mental health, differences in vulnerability, and policy and practice considerations. The review underlines the need for mental health responses that go beyond the clinical setting. The resilience of the community, equal access to services, and the social context are at the heart of effective interventions. The integration of mental health into strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation is essential to reduce the current damage and reduce future mental health distress.