The Mental Weight of Climate Awareness on Future Medical Professionals

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, early-stage researcher (ESRs), medical writer and research engineer at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

The looming spectre of climate change casts an ominous shadow over our lives, inducing a profound sense of despondency and pessimism regarding the trajectory of our future. It is no longer a mere environmental concern but an urgent global emergency, a reality underscored by international collaborative efforts like the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change. The implications of this crisis extend far beyond its tangible impacts on physical health. Climate change, driven by the relentless march of human activities, is wreaking havoc on our mental well-being.

The toll of climate change on the human psyche is substantial and growing. It encompasses a broad spectrum of distress, ranging from the immediate trauma induced by natural disasters linked to climate change to the insidious, long-term effects of rising temperatures on our mental health. This psychological burden is palpable, manifesting in various forms, including alterations in personality traits, increased rates of delinquency, and, most distressingly, elevated suicide rates.

Moreover, the burgeoning awareness of the rapidly changing environment has given rise to a constellation of psychological phenomena that add to this collective distress. These include solastalgia, a deep sense of distress caused by the perceived degradation of one’s home environment; environmental distress, which encompasses a wide range of emotional responses to ecological deterioration; climate grief, a mournful response to the irrevocable loss of familiar landscapes and ecosystems; environmental melancholia, a pervasive sadness rooted in ecological decline; and climate anxiety, a chronic and crippling fear of impending environmental catastrophe. Among these, “eco-anxiety” and “climate anxiety” have emerged as prominently discussed terms, encapsulating the persistent dread that many individuals feel in the face of climate change’s ominous march.

While the exact magnitude of the psychological impact of climate change remains a subject of ongoing debate, its presence and potency are undeniable. The weight of this burden lies in the recognition that climate change is not a distant, abstract threat—it is a colossal global emergency, poised to reshape the world as we know it. Its repercussions ripple through every facet of our lives, from the physical perils of extreme heat and the devastation wrought by wildfires and droughts to the insidious spread of diseases and the ever-looming spectre of food insecurity.

Medical students find themselves at the intersection of this global crisis and its multifaceted consequences. As future healthcare practitioners, they are acutely aware of the escalating risks and challenges posed by climate change. They confront a grim reality where the surge in heat-related deaths, the ravages of wildfires and droughts, the proliferation of vector-borne diseases, and the spectre of food insecurity and undernutrition loom large. Natural disasters, increasingly tied to climate change, inflict not only physical suffering but also profound psychological distress.

The rising temperatures directly impact mental well-being, leading to shifts in personality traits, heightened delinquency, and, most alarmingly, elevated suicide rates. The toll on mental health is palpable, leaving individuals grappling with a sense of hopelessness about the future. The psychological ramifications of climate change are far-reaching, encompassing an entire spectrum of emotions, from anxiety to despair.

Yet, while it is widely acknowledged that climate change awareness contributes to psychological distress, the precise influence on the development of diagnosable mental health disorders, the extent of symptom burden, and its clinical significance remains subjects of debate. Various instruments have been developed to measure these psychological effects, including the Environmental Distress Scale, climate change distress measures, and the Climate Anxiety Scale. However, questions persist about the distinctiveness of these constructs from general psychological distress measures. Additionally, efforts to adapt established mental health assessment tools for clinical settings in the context of climate change have not been widely undertaken.

In the face of this daunting challenge, the concept of resilience emerges as a crucial factor in how individuals, including future medical professionals, respond to climate change-related stressors. Resilience is not a one-size-fits-all trait; rather, it is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, social, cultural, and psychological factors. While research on psychological resilience factors specifically related to climate change is still in its infancy, insights from trauma research shed light on certain individual psychological resilience factors. These include a secure attachment style, stable personality functioning, and a strong sense of coherence—a feeling that one’s life experiences are comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful.
The healthcare system itself is intrinsically linked to climate change, both as a significant emitter of greenhouse gases that must urgently reduce its emissions and as a sector directly impacted by the physical and mental consequences of climate change. Healthcare professionals, including medical students, hold a unique and revered position in society. They are effective communicators who can bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, policy implementation, and healthcare practices. In this critical juncture where medical students grapple with their roles in addressing climate-related health challenges, understanding the depth of their psychological burden is essential for equipping them to navigate the complex terrain where environmental and human health intersect.

As the world hurtles forward into an era defined by climate change, medical students are poised to play a crucial role in addressing the myriad challenges it poses. They are not just the physicians of tomorrow but also the advocates, educators, and leaders who can drive meaningful change. To fulfil this vital role, they must not only possess a deep understanding of the physical health impacts of climate change but also a profound recognition of its psychological toll. Only then can they navigate this treacherous terrain with empathy, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding both the physical and mental well-being of their patients and the planet.

About the author

Sadia Khalid, early-stage researcher (ESRs), medical writer and research engineer at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia. She has been working on her PhD research project  “The role of Helicobacter pylori intestinal microbiota in the development of liver diseases. under supervision of Dr. Pirjo Spuul at Faculty of Science, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology.,TalTech. Her current research interests include Molecular Medicine, cell biology, infectious diseases, bacteriology, hepatology, and gastroenterology. I believe in the mission of public health, safety, and awareness.