Background: Climate change is increasingly recognized as a driver of mental health disorders, exacerbating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post‑traumatic stress. However, climate policies rarely address mental health considerations.Objective: This study investigates the extent to which mental health is incorporated into national climate adaptation policies, specifically Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), from countries classified as high or very high risk according to the INFORM index.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and policy analysis of NDCs from 38 high‑risk countries. A keyword‑based approach was used to assess the frequency and depth of mental health references in climate policies.
Climate Change and Mental Health Nexus in National Climate Policy - Gaps and Challenges
2025
Background: Climate change is increasingly recognized as a driver of mental health disorders, exacerbating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post‑traumatic stress. However, climate policies rarely address mental health considerations.Objective: This study investigates the extent to which mental health is incorporated into national climate adaptation policies, specifically Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), from countries classified as high or very high risk according to the INFORM index.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and policy analysis of NDCs from 38 high‑risk countries. A keyword‑based approach was used to assess the frequency and depth of mental health references in climate policies.
Lea Schlatter
Manasi Kumar
Pushpam Kumar
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