Heat waves have been linked to upwards of a 14.9 per cent increase in suicidal ideation.
Climate change has exacerbated suicide issues across the world, scientists attending a suicide prevention forum have noted.
During the forum, organised by the Brain and
Mind Institute at the Aga Khan University Hospital and Science for Africa
Foundation (SFA), Judith Omumbo, head of Programmes at the SFA, said this is due to
factors such as heat waves, droughts, and the psychological burden of
environmental instability.
“These findings illuminate a hidden and devastating
dimension of climate change’s impact that demands urgent attention,” she noted.
Her sentiments were confirmed by a study titled “Mental
Health Impacts of Climate Change Among Vulnerable Populations Globally: An
Integrative Review”, which confirmed that as global temperatures continue to
climb, suicide rates increase alongside the heat.
“For every 1°C rise in temperature, suicide rates are
estimated to increase by anywhere from about 0.7 per cent to over 2 per cent, depending on
regional and demographic factors,” the report stated. This translates into
thousands of additional deaths by suicide driven by climate-related factors
According to the study, climate change’s effects on mental
health run deeper than temperature alone. For example, heat waves have been
linked to upwards of a 14.9 per cent increase in suicidal ideation, while drought
conditions show an even steeper increase—up to around 36.7 per cent.
“The chronic stress of living in a changing climate,
including uncertainty about the future and feelings of powerlessness,
contributes substantially to mental health deterioration. Youths, in
particular, experience elevated emotional distress related to climate anxiety,
sometimes disrupting their social behaviour and increasing their susceptibility
to suicidal thoughts,” the study reported.
These psychological impacts unfold against a backdrop of
ecological loss, economic hardship, and societal disruption—all compounding the
sense of despair.
In response to this urgent public health issue, Dr Chido
Rwafa Madzvamutse, WHO Africa Mental Health Regional Representative, said that the
World Health Organization had established the LIVE LIFE initiative, a global
strategy aimed at preventing suicides through evidence-based, scalable
interventions.
She said, “LIVE LIFE emphasises several key approaches to
saving lives, beginning with restricting access to common means of suicide such
as pesticides and firearms—a practical yet profoundly effective measure.”
“Additionally, the initiative calls for responsible media
reporting to avoid sensationalising suicides, which can inadvertently promote
suicidal effects,” she added.
She further said that the programme also promotes fostering
socio-emotional learning in young people to build resilience against mental
health challenges, especially under environmental stress.
“Early identification and timely support for individuals
affected by suicidal behaviour are crucial elements of the initiative, ensuring
those in crisis receive compassionate care and effective intervention before
tragedy strikes.”
WHO said that addressing climate change cannot be separated
from safeguarding mental health and preventing unnecessary loss of life.
The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change study posits that currently, over 700,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, and this number is set to climb as climate pressures increase. Ignoring the mental health consequences of climate change risks deepening this tragedy. The report further says that by integrating climate adaptation with comprehensive mental health strategies, societies can mitigate these risks.