Identifying interventions to support mental health for those affected by climate change and related extreme weather events: a scoping review.

Abstract

We aimed to identify interventions to support mental health for those affected by climate change and related extreme weather events. We conducted a scoping review in accordance with standard guidelines, searching five databases. We identified 26 studies. All twenty-six included studies (one on the overall impact of climate change, eleven on storms, nine on flooding, and five on wildfires) reported different types of interventions and demonstrated the effectiveness of these interventions in improving mental health outcomes. Most of the interventions were conducted in high-income countries, targeted at the individual level, delivered by specialist or non-specialists, and based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in different forms (face-to-face, online, mobile phone text messages, etc.). There are few studies available on interventions at community and family support, and on basic services delivered to those exposed to extreme weather events. Given that climate change projections indicate intensified frequency, severity and scale of such extreme weather events, there is a need for multi sectoral coordinated interventions targeting the individual, community support and basic services at system level that are tailored to the specific nature of extreme weather events, the kinds of impact they create, and the needs and circumstances of those who are impacted.