These are the types of actions and responses that can address climate change and build resilience.
System-wide
- Governments can focus on attending to the root causes of climate change and mental health. This includes proactively mitigating and responding to current and predicted mental health needs (e.g. building resiliency). It also involves an approach that centres on health equity.
Communities and services
- Develop resiliency plans in collaboration with communities, and ensure they include psychosocial well-being.
- Build resilience and psychosocial adaptation by addressing disparities, creating a sense of community (e.g., building parks and mutual aid networks) , enhancing access to nature, enhancing social capital, preserving cultural connections and updating physical infrastructures.
- Develop disaster response/emergency preparedness plans and communications strategies, and use these for training at all levels of society.
- Increase training and knowledge on climate change for mental health professionals, teachers and other professionals who work with young people.
Individuals
- Individual action can provide a greater sense of agency and control and benefit mental well-being.
- Actions include: bolstering interpersonal relationships and connections with people and the land; fostering optimism, hope and mental wellness; making behavioural/lifestyle changes (e.g., preserving nature and reducing your climate footprint); supporting climate solutions through voting, organizing and advocacy.
