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Carina, also known as Typhoon Gaemi, slammed the Philippines, prompting the declaration of a state of calamity in numerous regions. It affected many of our kababayans since the terrible flood caused the displacement of thousands of people, disrupted the workforce and livelihood of some, and prevented children from attending school.
Most of us have become accustomed to our country's vulnerability to natural disasters, but with the increasing effects of climate change, this should no longer be the case. According to reports, storms are most likely to hit the Philippines—about 20 storms and 10 typhoons hit the country every year.
In this regard, residents and public officials alike are always preparing for the next disaster and working to improve one's disaster risk management system. Yet, addressing its effects on one’s mental health seems to be the least of the concerns.
According to Dr. Glenn Roy Paraso, a member of the National Panel of Technical Experts of the Philippines Climate Change Commission (CCC), the impact of climate change on mental health may be harder to quantify than the number of families/persons evacuated and/or injured. After a specific event, these indirect effects could significantly impact a person's life.
As a society, we need to make sure that everyone can access mental health and psychosocial services that will help those who face difficulties due to climate change. These are some steps that we can do:
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1. Strengthen mental health and psychosocial support response
Natural disasters, as we discussed in our earlier article on post-traumatic stress disorder, can impact one's mental health. Typhoons like Milenyo, Ondoy, and Yolanda have kept some people alert despite strong winds, grieving due to the loss of loved ones, while others experience physical impacts such as chills and breathing difficulties. Furthermore, some advocates for sustainability and climate change worry for their lives since some have been arrested or red-tagged, raising concerns about their own safety too.
Providing proactive disaster risk management, which includes better mental health and psychosocial support for victims, can help assist people in coping.
2. Advocate for the inclusion of mental health and psychoeducation in schools, universities, and workplaces
As typhoons become more frequent and intense (e.g., super typhoons, flooding, and landslides), there is evidence that today's youth are the most affected and anxious about weather or climate change. Thus, it is critical to educate both kids and adults about emotion regulation, different coping mechanisms, and the different mental health professionals available to them.
3. Implement capacity building among local communities
Training different community members in mental health and psychological first aid improves a community's accessibility and availability to psychosocial services. Furthermore, local leaders should have contact details of the mental health providers in their area as a way to support those who need additional assistance.
4. Further study on climate change’s impact on Filipino mental health
Investigating the influence of climate change on mental health is a fresh subject, particularly in our country, and requires additional research to improve mental health care. According to studies conducted in those regions, a new expression, "eco anxiety," emerged in North America and Europe, and even if we don't have a term for it here, we understand the emotion. As a result, our local psychologists and climate professionals emphasize the importance of addressing climate change concerns and correlating them to our own (local) experiences, which can lead to proactive steps in the future.
The aftermath of calamities is one of several factors that could impact a person's mental and emotional well-being. As a community, we at Empath are hoping that by having these difficult conversations, we can better understand the many factors that impact mental health, take proactive measures to address these problems, and ultimately help everyone.
References:
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