Climate Change Threatens Mental Health as Extreme Heat Raises Stress and Violence, Expert Warns

Extreme heat is not only a physical threat. It is also linked to rising stress, violence and suicide rates, according to Yale University researcher Alan Kazdin.

Speaking at the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Faculty of Psychology, Kazdin said climate-related and social disruptions were placing growing pressure on people worldwide. Migration, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires are adding to forced displacement and insecurity over food and water.

He also linked air and water pollution to higher rates of depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders and suicidal tendencies. In response, he argued that mental health care must move beyond traditional psychotherapy and include activities in daily life that can ease loneliness, isolation and stress.

“Everyday activities can have a significant impact on reducing the symptoms of psychiatric disorders,” Kazdin said. He urged practitioners to reconnect patients with their more human and empathetic side. Walking to work, for example, could support better health and greater empathy, although he acknowledged that urban insecurity and long distances often make that difficult.

Kazdin also pointed to new technology as treatment methods develop, including artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized interventions, chatbots, telemedicine, apps, text messaging, virtual and augmented reality, and social-assistance robots. He warned that even specialists can struggle to know when they are interacting with artificial intelligence. In a period marked by pressure, violence and isolation, he said, psychologists face the challenge of helping people with depression and other disorders move away from stress and reconnect with empathy and human contact.

“

Everyday activities can have a significant impact on reducing the symptoms of psychiatric disorders.