IMPLEMENTING THE DECLARATION OF THE

 60TH ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE

Working Group on the 

Impact of Climate Change on 

Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being: Guidelines for Action

COORDINATORS

1) Inka Weissbecker, PhD

NGO Representative to the United Nations of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS, in consultative status with DPI and ECOSOC),  MPH candidate, Harvard School of Public Health, Associate Research Scientist, Center for Hazards Research and Policy Development,  University of Louisville , Boston , MA 02115 .  Tel: (617) 513-3396, Email: inka.weissbecker@gmail.com.   Bio on Dr. Inka Weissbecker

(2) Nancy E. Wallace, LMSW

NGO Representative to the United Nations of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). 230 East 78 Street  Ste. 27, New York , NY 10021, Tel: 917-842-4733, Email: newallace@earthlink.net   Bio on Nancy E. Wallace.

Purpose. The purpose of this working group is to review current scientific and empirical evidence on the psychosocial and mental health impact of climate change, and to recommend specific actions to be implemented by UN agencies, governments, and civil society at large.

Background. Climate change has increased the prevalence of disasters and adverse weather conditions worldwide, with particularly devastating effects on developing countries. Growing scientific evidence shows that such changes and events can have severe and long-lasting effects on mental health and psychosocial well-being. As a consequence, economic and social recovery and development as well as quality of life and community functioning, can be affected for years to come. Furthermore, mental health and psychosocial problems often result in chronic impairment and can increase the risk for substance abuse, interpersonal problems, suicide, vocational difficulties, long-term physiological changes, crises of faith and subsequent physical health problems. Children are especially vulnerable, since stressful events can disrupt critical stages of their psychosocial and physical development. They are at risk for serious problems ranging from school maladjustment and drug abuse to exploitation and human trafficking. In addition, individuals with pre-existing psychological problems, prior trauma or poor resources are more likely to show severe and persistent stress reactions after adverse events and are less likely to recover socioeconomically. Yet, individuals and communities can often show resilience in the face of crises. It is crucial to build on such existing strengths in order to improve psychosocial well-being and to empower communities. There has been an increasing awareness that mental health and psychosocial factors should be included when addressing the adverse effects of climate change, and that special attention should be paid to developing countries and to vulnerable individuals. By fostering a dialogue among UN agencies, NGOs, governments, universities and civil society at large, and by implementing concrete action priorities, suffering can be reduced and the well-being of communities worldwide can be protected.

All recommendations by a Working Group will be combined and indexed in a special chapter in the report to the Secretary General.

This section will propose concrete action items and solutions based on current scientific evidence and on guidelines and best practices put forth by major agencies (e.g. IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings).  Recommendations will cover several areas including but not limited to the following:  

1)     Coordinating efforts among NGOs, UN agencies, governments, civil society, and scientists to address psychosocial and mental health factors in the context of climate change.

2)     Increasing resilience to the mental health and psychosocial impact of climate change through capacity-building, strengthening of existing structures, reinforcing of social networks and availability of psychosocial resources and services.

3)     Reducing vulnerabilities and attending specifically to populations at risk for the psychological effects of disaster, including children, the elderly, those with less access to resources or those with pre-existing mental health or substance use problems.

4)     Assessing and monitoring mental health and psychosocial indicators, resources and vulnerabilities. Such assessments should occur on a continuous basis before as well as after disasters or significant weather-related changes.

5)     Disseminating information and providing education on mental health and psychosocial issues related to climate change and disaster for the general public, aimed at improving coping strategies, and at reducing stigma associated with stress reactions or psychological problems.

6)     Providing guidelines for the media for reporting on events related to climate change such as disasters and advocating against media use of harmful images and for the broadcasting of accurate information and stories of resilience.

7)     Training of local non-specialized staff (e.g. school teachers, first responders) in basic principles of psychological first aid and in providing referral to specialized staff if necessary.

8)     Training of local specialized staff in effective and culturally informed practices for stress and trauma interventions.

9)     Providing access to quality intervention such as community support services and staff trained in mental health and psychosocial issues for those impacted by climate change and disaster (especially those traditionally underserved and vulnerable populations).

10)  All action priorities should be implemented from a multi-cultural perspective which is sensitive to specific cultures and contexts.

Recommendations are intended to be implemented in a collaborative fashion among several agencies and civil society. Recommendations are aimed at building on local capacities, strengthening existing structures and empowering local communities.