Extreme Heat Poses Threat to Mental Health

Rising temperatures could trigger a wave of mental health problems across Australia, with new research predicting the burden of mental and behavioral disorders might surge by nearly 50 percent by mid-century.

The study from the University of Adelaide, published in Nature Climate Change, reveals that high temperatures are already contributing to thousands of lost healthy life years annually – and the situation is on track to worsen substantially as the planet continues to warm.

“The detrimental impacts of climate change on good mental health and emotional states have been increasingly recognised worldwide, and it’s only going to get worse unless we act,” warned lead author Professor Peng Bi from the University’s School of Public Health.

According to the research, extreme heat currently contributes to an annual loss of 8,458 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from mental and behavioral disorders in Australia – representing 1.8 percent of the total mental health burden nationwide. Young Australians between 15 and 44 years old appear particularly vulnerable.

The study draws on comprehensive data from the Australian Burden of Disease database, examining how temperature affects conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

“From mild distress to serious conditions like schizophrenia, rising temperatures are making things harder for millions,” Professor Bi explained.

Geographic location emerged as a significant factor in vulnerability. The Northern Territory faces the highest predicted relative risk and highest average threshold temperature. Meanwhile, South Australia and Victoria showed the highest proportion of mental health burden attributable to high temperatures – 2.9 percent (62.6 DALYs per 100,000) and 2.2 percent (51.1 DALYs per 100,000), respectively.

First author Dr. Jingwen Liu emphasized that climate change will intensify mental health challenges beyond what would be expected from population growth alone. “Young people, who often face these issues early in life, are especially at risk as the climate crisis worsens,” she said.

The research has significant implications for Australia’s healthcare systems and communities. With approximately 8.6 million Australians aged 16 to 85 experiencing a mental or behavioral disorder within their lifetime, the additional pressure from rising temperatures could overwhelm existing mental health services.

Socioeconomic factors compound the problem. Income levels, healthcare access, and local environmental conditions all influence how heat affects mental health, with disadvantaged communities often bearing a disproportionate burden.

“These results underscore the crucial role of policymakers in developing focused public health interventions to minimise the emergence of mental health impacts of climate change, given its significant human, social and financial consequences,” said Professor Bi.

The researchers are calling for immediate action on multiple fronts, including heat-health action plans to prepare healthcare systems, community-level interventions like green spaces to build resilience, and targeted support for the most vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

“Policymakers must step up with targeted, people-centred strategies to protect mental health as temperatures climb,” Professor Bi urged. “This isn’t just about health – it’s about building stronger, more resilient communities for the future.”

As Australia continues to experience record-breaking heat waves and faces projections of even warmer decades ahead, the study highlights that addressing climate change isn’t just an environmental imperative – it’s increasingly a mental health emergency that requires prompt and decisive action.