FIELD REPORT
Year : 2022 | Volume
: 20 | Issue : 1 | Page : 107--113
Addressing mental health and wellbeing in the context of climate change: Examples of interventions to inform future practice
Julian Eaton1, Emeka Nwefoh2, Joshua Duncan3, Oumar Sangare4, Yukarah Weekes5, Ben Adams6
1 MD, CBM Global Disability and Inclusion, Laudenbach, Germany
2 MD, Imo State University, Nigeria
3 MPA, Njala University, Sierra Leone
4 MSc, CBM Burkina Faso, Burkina Faso
5 MA, CBM UK, UK
6 MSc, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, Ireland
Correspondence Address:
Julian Eaton
CBM Global Disability Inclusion, Dr. Werner-Freyberg-Straβe 7, 69514 Laudenbach
Germany
Climate change is now recognised as contributing to an increasing number of emergencies globally, which are having substantial effects on mental health and wellbeing of affected populations. In this report, we give case studies of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities linked to climate change-related emergencies in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. The emergencies range from floods and cyclones to drought and food scarcity, often in complex humanitarian settings including conflict affected regions. A range of activities, based on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines for MHPSS in emergency settings, are discussed, many of which also focus on inclusion of people with disabilities. These include preparedness and resilience building as well as responses such as provision of basic needs, strengthening community capacity to provide psychosocial support and mental health system strengthening. We conclude that meeting basic needs is an essential prerequisite to address mental distress, that MHPSS is an essential component of any climate change-related response, that advance preparedness and adaptation is a good investment, and that meaningful participation of people in the global South, particularly marginalised communities such as people with disabilities and the very poor, is essential for the transformative change needed in addressing climate change.
How to cite this article:
Eaton J, Nwefoh E, Duncan J, Sangare O, Weekes Y, Adams B. Addressing mental health and wellbeing in the context of climate change: Examples of interventions to inform future practice.Intervention 2022;20:107-113
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How to cite this URL:
Eaton J, Nwefoh E, Duncan J, Sangare O, Weekes Y, Adams B. Addressing mental health and wellbeing in the context of climate change: Examples of interventions to inform future practice. Intervention [serial online] 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 3 ];20:107-113
Available from: http://www.interventionjournal.org//article.asp?issn=1571-8883;year=2022;volume=20;issue=1;spage=107;epage=113;aulast=Eaton;type=0 |
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