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Commentary

Factors Influencing the Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change in Canada

1
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
2
Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1P 5N7, Canada
3
Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
4
Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091583
Submission received: 19 March 2019 / Revised: 1 May 2019 / Accepted: 3 May 2019 / Published: 6 May 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Adaptation to Climate Change)

Abstract

Climate change is increasing risks to the mental health of Canadians. Impacts from a changing climate may outstrip the ability of Canadians and their health-sustaining institutions to adapt effectively and could increase poor mental health outcomes, particularly amongst those most marginalized in society. A scoping review of literature published during 2000–2017 explored risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities related to climate change and mental health. In this commentary, the authors present a new assessment of evidence from this scoping review and highlight factors that influence the capacity to adapt to the mental health consequences of a changing climate. Findings from this assessment reveal eleven key factors that influence the capacity to adapt: social capital; sense of community; government assistance; access to resources; community preparedness; intersectoral/transdisciplinary collaboration; vulnerability and adaptation assessments; communication and outreach; mental health literacy; and culturally relevant resources. Attention to these factors by Canadian decision makers can support proactive and effective management of the mental health consequences of climate change.
Keywords: climate change; mental health; adaptation; extreme weather; adaptive capacity; marginalized populations climate change; mental health; adaptation; extreme weather; adaptive capacity; marginalized populations

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MDPI and ACS Style

Hayes, K.; Berry, P.; Ebi, K.L. Factors Influencing the Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change in Canada. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091583

AMA Style

Hayes K, Berry P, Ebi KL. Factors Influencing the Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(9):1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091583

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hayes, Katie, Peter Berry, and Kristie L. Ebi. 2019. "Factors Influencing the Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change in Canada" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 9: 1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091583

APA Style

Hayes, K., Berry, P., & Ebi, K. L. (2019). Factors Influencing the Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9), 1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091583

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