Coalition of mental health organisations to tackle the impacts of climate change
ACC has joined other leading mental health organisations to form a coalition calling for more support to protect the UK’s mental health in the face of climate change.
The Climate Minds Coalition aims to work with policy makers and mental health professionals to expand the role of psychological and mental health professionals in shaping policies to tackle climate change and help people experiencing poor mental health as a result of the climate emergency.
There is a growing body of evidence[1] which highlights how the impacts of climate change increase the risk a person will experience mental health problems. It also indicates a clear relationship between increased temperatures and the number of suicides in the UK as well as the severe distress experienced by some following extreme weather events.
A 2022 Office for National Statistics survey found that almost three in four UK adults are worried about climate change, ranking second only to the cost of living as their major concern.2
Dr Edgington, coalition chair representing the British Psychological Society, says:
“We’ve seen first hand how people react to the climate crisis, ranging from denial and ecoanxiety to long-term traumatic impacts after suffering direct harm or loss through climate related events such as flooding, overheating and coastal erosion. This can really affect the ability of an individual, or entire community, to function effectively.
We are confident that with expert psychological and mental health care, supported by credible and effective political leadership, we can help the British public to better adapt to the psychological impacts of climate change and feel more hopeful for the future.”
The Climate Minds Coalition comprises 18 members to date which includes ACC. You can see a full list of signatories below. What can ACC and other organisations do to tackle the impact climate change is having on the wellbeing of our nation?
Together we aim to campaign to improve access to a wide range of support options that help people increase their ability to cope with the impacts of climate change. We can improve training and support for mental health professionals working with individuals and communities affected by climate change. We can bring together mental health colleagues to feel confident and supported in dealing with the emotional reactions to climate change.
As a coalition we can also work with political leaders to better understand how and why people react in different ways to the climate emergency and what they can do to help. You can read the open letter from Climate Minds Coalition to the House of Commons here. Lastly, we can support and promote efforts to protect the environment and slow climate change by considering how we operate our organisations and the impact that has on climate change.
If you would like to find out more about the Climate Minds Coalition you can visit https://www.climatemindscoalition.com/
Here is a list of Coalition signatories:
Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association for Music Therapy
British Association of Art Therapists
British Psychological Society
Centre for Mental Health
Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
Climate Cares
Climate Psychology Alliance
EMDR Association UK
Mind
Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network
National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling
Student Minds
Thrive LDN
UK Association of Humanistic Psychology Practitioners
UK Council for Psychotherapy
[1] https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/publications/all-publications/the-impact-of-climate-change-onmental-health-and-emotional-wellbeing-current-evidence-and-implications-for-policy-and-practice.php 3https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/worriesaboutclimatechang egreatbritain/septembertooctober2022#main-points