As temperatures rise and hurricane seasons become less predictable, more Americans are acknowledging the impact of climate change on their mental health. A recent survey conducted among over 2,200 adults in May revealed that 53% of respondents believe that global warming affects Americans’ mental well-being. This percentage has risen from 48% in a similar poll conducted in 2022, according to the American Psychiatric Association, the sponsor of the survey.
The President of the APA, Dr. Ramaswamy Viswanathan, highlighted the connection between weather changes and mental health, emphasizing that certain communities are disproportionately affected. He encouraged individuals feeling overwhelmed to consider the hope found in adopting solutions at both individual and global levels. The survey also found that climate change impacts other aspects of people’s lives. Around 39% of respondents noted its influence on access to food, while 37% mentioned financial implications. Additionally, 36% cited its effects on family, 34% on housing, 25% on neighborhoods, 26% on careers, and 24% on education.
Age played a role in respondents’ perceptions, with a majority of those aged 18-34 reporting that climate change affects their mental and physical health. However, less than a quarter of adults aged 65 and older expressed the same sentiment. In terms of race, Black and Hispanic Americans were more likely than Whites to agree that climate change impacts mental health. A majority of Americans expressed concern about the government’s response to climate change during an election year, with 54% worried about the government’s handling of the issue.
As individuals face increasing challenges associated with climate change such as rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns it is important to seek out resources like ready.gov which provides information to help prepare for disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. With growing awareness about the impact of climate change on mental health it is becoming more widely recognized by Americans from all walks of life
