The impacts of climate change, such as displacement, loss of livelihoods, and increased stress, can have significant negative impacts on mental health. People may experience stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma after disasters or from ongoing uncertainty about the future. Strengthening mental health services means improving access to counseling, therapy, and psychosocial support, training health workers to recognize climate-related stress, and integrating mental health into climate adaptation plans. Community-based programs and culturally sensitive approaches, including traditional practices, can help people cope and build resilience.

Strengthening mental health services can include the following: 

• Increase Access: Increase access to mental health services, including counselling, therapy, and psychosocial support, for individuals and communities affected by climate change.
• Train Healthcare Providers: Train healthcare providers to recognize and address the mental health impacts of climate change.
• Integrate Mental Health into Climate Change Adaptation Plans: Ensure that mental health considerations are integrated into all aspects of climate change adaptation planning and implementation.
• Conduct Research: Conduct research to better understand the mental health impacts of climate change and to develop effective interventions.
• Monitor Mental Health Outcomes: Monitor the mental health outcomes of climate change adaptation efforts to evaluate their effectiveness.

Feasibility & Local Applicability

Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Martin face growing mental health challenges linked to climate change. Despite this, mental health is rarely included in climate adaptation policies, and services remain reactive rather than proactive. Experts emphasize the need for integrated approaches that combine psychosocial support with resilience planning. Challenges in strengthening mental health services in relation to climate change include limited recognition and prioritization, limited data and research gaps, funding constraints and institutional barriers. 

Co-benefits

Improving mental health services strengthens overall public health and social stability. It reduces stigma, promotes community cohesion, and enhances disaster preparedness. Better mental health also supports economic resilience by helping individuals remain productive and engaged. Youth-focused programs can encourage positive coping strategies and climate activism, fostering hope and empowerment.

Equity & Vulnerability Considerations

Adaptation efforts must ensure services are affordable, culturally appropriate, and available in multiple languages. Community-based approaches and integration of traditional healing practices can make interventions more inclusive and trusted. Some examples of community-based approaches area:

• Community-Based Mental Health Programs: Develop and implement community-based mental health programs that provide support and resources to individuals and communities affected by climate change.
• Social Support Networks: Strengthen social support networks within communities to provide emotional and practical support during times of stress and crisis.
• Traditional Healing Practices: Integrate traditional healing practices and cultural knowledge into mental health interventions.

Costs

Medium – High | Costs vary depending on scale and delivery. Initial investments include training health professionals, developing outreach programs, and creating digital tools. 

Case-studies & Examples

• UNICEF: A Quiet Storm: Climate Change and the Mental Health of Caribbean Youth
• weAdapt. Article. A review of mental health and wellbeing under climate change in small island developing states
• Eco-Anexiety around the world
• Climate Cares Centre: Mental health and wellbeing in the climate emergency

Literature

• van Beukering, P., Baertz, A., & van Oosterhout, L. (2022). Impacts of Climate Change on Public Health on Bonaire. (IVM Reports; Vol. R-22/, No. 03). Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)
• Eissa, M., Newberry Le Vay, J., Jennings, N., Lawrance, E.L., Massazza,  A., (2025) Integrating Mental Health into Climate Change Adaptation Policies, United for Global Mental Health. 
• Holdsworth, J., Hunte, S. A., Barker, K., Sherin, J., Rao, M., & Maharaj, S. B. (2023). Safeguarding the Caribbean's future: making the case to research the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on youth mental health and wellbeing. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1322831
• Rise, N., Oura, C., & Drewry, J. (2022). Climate change and health in the Caribbean: a review highlighting research gaps and priorities. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 8, 100126.
• Shultz, J. M., Sands, D. E., Holder-Hamilton, N., Hamilton, W., Goud, S., Nottage, K. M., ... & Galea, S. (2020). Scrambling For Safety In The Eye Of Dorian: Mental Health Consequences Of Exposure To A Climate-Driven Hurricane: Study examines the mental health consequences of exposure to Hurricane Dorian. Health Affairs, 39(12), 2120-2127
• Williams, R.E. (2025). Mental Health and Climate Change from a Small Island Developing State Perspective-Research Gaps and Needs. In: Leal Filho, W., Wolf, F. (eds) Climate Change and Health: Perspectives from Developing Countries. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham.