WHO Urges Southeast Asia to Tackle Mental Health Issues from Climate Change
Bali, Indonesia – Climate change is increasingly impacting mental health and well-being, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has called on Southeast Asian countries to strengthen their mental health systems to address this growing challenge.
Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, highlighted the issue during a regional workshop held from August 12-14. She noted that climate change worsens many social, environmental, and economic risk factors for mental health. Southeast Asia is particularly vulnerable to these impacts.
Wazed pointed out significant gaps between mental health needs and the availability of services in many countries. The rise in mental health issues due to climate change is adding extra pressure on health systems.
“There is a large gap in both knowledge of and response to climate change’s impact on mental health,” Wazed said. She emphasized the need for collaboration between climate and mental health officials to accelerate action and prevent further widening of this gap.
Even without climate change, the mental health situation is challenging. An estimated 260 million people in the region live with a mental health condition, and over 200,000 people die by suicide each year.
Five Key Approaches
Wazed outlined five key WHO approaches to strengthen mental health:
- Integrate climate change considerations into mental health policies and programs.
- Incorporate mental health and psychosocial support systems (MHPSS) within climate change and health policies.
- Build upon global commitments.
- Adopt multi-sectoral and community-based approaches to reduce vulnerabilities.
- Address funding gaps for mental health and climate change health impacts.
The WHO’s Action Plan for Mental Health in the South-East Asia Region offers options to expand community mental health services and update policies in line with international human rights standards.
In 2017, the region adopted the Male Declaration and the Framework for Action to build health systems resilient to climate change. In 2022, countries endorsed the Paro Declaration on universal access to people-centered mental health care, committing to comprehensive mental health responses.
Wazed, who became Regional Director on February 1, 2024, has been focusing on empowering individuals and communities to adopt a holistic approach to health and well-being. Her vision includes establishing effective, people-centered health systems.
Doubts Revealed
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a special agency of the United Nations that works to improve health and well-being around the world.
Southeast Asia -: Southeast Asia is a region in Asia that includes countries like India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is known for its diverse cultures and tropical climate.
Mental Health -: Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.
Climate Change -: Climate change means the change in the Earth’s weather patterns, like more heatwaves, storms, and rising sea levels. It is mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Saima Wazed -: Saima Wazed is the WHO South-East Asia Regional Director. She works to improve health policies and services in Southeast Asia.
Workshop -: A workshop is a meeting where people discuss and learn about a specific topic. In this case, it was about mental health and climate change.
Bali -: Bali is an island in Indonesia. It is famous for its beautiful beaches and cultural heritage.
Funding Gaps -: Funding gaps mean there is not enough money to support certain programs or services. In this case, it refers to the lack of money for mental health services.
Action Plan -: An action plan is a detailed plan outlining actions needed to reach one or more goals. The WHO’s Action Plan aims to improve health systems and mental health care.
Resilient Health Systems -: Resilient health systems are strong and can handle challenges like diseases or natural disasters. They ensure people get the care they need even during tough times.
