Rising Heat, Rising Anxiety: The Overlooked Mental Health Crisis in Asia

As global temperatures soar, eco-anxiety is becoming a significant yet underaddressed issue, particularly in Asia. Extreme heat is linked to worsening mental and physical health, yet eco-anxiety is not considered urgent in many Asian countries. Political and economic priorities often overshadow climate concerns, exacerbating the mental health crisis.

Jakarta, Aug 19 (360info) — The detrimental effects of extreme heat on health are well-documented, yet the growing issue of eco-anxiety remains largely ignored in Asia. As 2023 marked the hottest year on record with 2024 projected to be even hotter, the health risks continue to escalate.

Heatwaves worsen existing health conditions and trigger new ones, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, heatstroke, dehydration, and even death. There's a surge in aggression, violent crimes, and hospital admissions for mental disorders, particularly during heatwaves.

This phenomenon is especially pronounced in Asia. A study across 43 countries revealed nearly half of heatwave-related deaths occurred in this region, with significant concentrations in South Asia. The issue extends to mental health, with a study from urban Vietnam showing a 62% increase in hospital admissions for mental and behavioral disorders during heatwaves from 2017 to 2019.

Poor recognition of eco-anxiety contributes to the crisis. In Indonesia, eco-anxiety is not considered urgent, overshadowed by political discourse and other socio-economic issues. Despite awareness efforts by researchers and climate activists, the political will to address climate concerns remains low.

The implications are dire. Farmers face health and productivity challenges due to increasing heat waves, leading to crop failures, economic losses, and psychological stress. Climate change knowledge among adolescents in Indonesia is low, with climate anxiety being a pressing issue.

The recent COP28 and Paris Agreement outcomes stress the need for region-specific ecological awareness campaigns. Countries like Indonesia are beginning to integrate climate and health resilience strategies, but more robust government action is necessary. National health campaigns aligning with socio-economic strategies could mitigate environmental anxiety and enhance community resilience.

(With inputs from agencies.)