Description:

Our natural environment affects our mental health. Temperature extremes, storms, floods, and droughts are associated with increases in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and substance abuse. Mental health also can be affected by climate change altering income, water, and food security, or through conflict and displacement. Climate-sensitive vectorborne diseases can contribute to cognitive, neurological, and mental health problems. This session welcomes abstracts (1) exploring the mental health consequences of weather, climate variability, and climate change; (2) describing populations particularly vulnerable or resilient to these impacts; and (3) exploring approaches to building psychosocial resilience and mental well-being.