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Post by Amaka E on Mar 22, 2017 23:03:44 GMT -4
Natural Disasters take a toll on communities and families and it is easy to see how this can have an impact on mental health of people. This article reminded me of when Hurricane Katrina occurred years ago. There was a ripple effect on many people including people who were not even residing in the state. One way or another it had an emotional impact on communities across the country. Having to rebuild time and time again due to climate change can and will eventually prove to be a big issue we will have to face. More thought should be giving in terms of how to provide help to those affected by this issue mentally with regards to depression, anxiety etc. We should all be aware of the negative impact of it and find ways to take care of their emotional and mental health needs while replacing their lost homes or properties because as the saying goes Health (mental health included) is wealth.
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Post by P Thakur SGU on Mar 23, 2017 17:27:34 GMT -4
I found this article to quite enlightening, fully demonstrating the social costs associated with climate change. Having recently scene the devastation and aftermath of flooding in my home state of NC, I learned the emotional impact of the 'storm' can be ever lingering. However this article does a good job of beginning with the story of a single family, and then expanding those effects and circumstances onto larger geographic areas as a whole. I'd be interested to get more data/information on the three main categories: natural disasters, slower changes, and the loss of social networks or capital. It's obvious that traumatic experiences can have lingering psychological effects, however more data on global and societal costs resulting from such trauma would be beneficial.
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Post by Ali Choudhry on Mar 25, 2017 17:18:08 GMT -4
This article truly opened my eyes to an issue I personally had never given much attention too, and I am glad research has been devoted to the effects of climate change on mental health. Several staggering figures were presented by the author, including the dramatic rise in depression, PTSD and anxiety in those who have experienced loss due to natural disasters, as compared to the general population. Given the current move towards higher temperatures and changing climate across the world, I think it is crucial to address and formulate ways to mitigate the catastrophic effects it may have on mental health on a global scale. As a future clinician, gaining insight in regards to the link between climate change and mental health will better equip us in developing particular strategies for optimizing care for such individuals.
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devyn
New Member
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Post by devyn on Mar 26, 2017 23:06:24 GMT -4
This was an interesting read. Even though I have always been conscious of climate change and its devastating effects I had never linked mental illness with this issue. I was impressed with the percentage of individuals who are victims of floods that suffer from either depression, anxiety or PTSD. It is even more impressive when compared to those not affected or only disrupted. This article shed some light on the importance of further studying the consequences of natural disasters in mental health and create strategies for prevention and treatment. Similarly to Clayton in this article, Berry, Bowen, & Kjellstrom (2010) have also stipulated that climate change can affect mental health via three pathways. The first is the direct effect of natural disasters in human settlement causing anxiety and chronic mental health problems. Second, it increases the risk of injury and physical health issues which directly related to mental health. Lastly, climate change will endanger natural and social environments. Understanding these pathways can aid in the preparation of interventions that address each. References Berry, H. L., Bowen, K., & Kjellstrom, T. (2010). Climate change and mental health: a casual pathways framework. Int J Public Health; 55(1), 123-132.
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Nadine Mohamed UMHS
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Post by Nadine Mohamed UMHS on Mar 27, 2017 19:00:06 GMT -4
This article is very interesting with respect to the fact that reading the title, you would think climate change is causing depression, anxiety and PTSD. And it is, however, it delves into the topic of stress as a cause of all these disorders. Climate change is the stressor, just like college exams, migrating, etc. can cause stress leading to all of these. It's interesting how in today's society in North America, society deems stress and "toughing it out" as qualities to applaud, whereas going on vacation and taking a break as being "weak". We are encouraging a lifestyle that indirectly promotes the development of depression, anxiety and more ailments. Going back to climate change, what Heather Shepherd went through is going to become a reality for many others around the world if we do not start taking an interest in our climate. We are already seeing that in South America where more of the land is being taken over by the ocean as the sea level rises.
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Post by sierrae on Mar 28, 2017 11:27:16 GMT -4
This article is interesting as It looks at the impact of climate control on mental health. The study they conducted on how victims of floods had increased risk of depression and PTSD is very valuable and hopefully will lead to more funding and awareness of the importance of addressing these issues in the affected populations. Not only do victims of natural disasters need financial and housing help, they also need mental health care and should be provided with access to counseling. This article brings awareness of the impacts that climate changes can potentially have, although we can not reverse the changes that have already occurred at least we can be aware of how they may impact our mental health. We already know climate to have an affect on our moods as shown with Seasonal Depressive Disorder and the increased number of suicides in winter months in places such as Alaska, but it is interesting to note that the increase in temperature seems to be correlated to an increase in aggressive behavior. I think the this article shows a holistic view on mental health that is very important to highlight and brings awareness to how climate change is affecting our mental heath now and potential future affects.
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Post by Omose O on Mar 30, 2017 16:41:41 GMT -4
I can relate totally with this article as I have experienced flooding at its peak but lucky enough not to bare the cost and loss tremendously. The mental impact of climate change is worth writing on as Depression, Anxiety, PTSD are a few of the effects caused by this. Although the government tries its best usually; i sincerely believe natural disasters need more attention, studies and research as the effects are almost always adverse. As physicians we try to heal and help patients with depression, PTSD and Anxiety but if the natural disasters are avoided or at least controlled i believe these diagnosis won't be a worry in some cases at least.
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Post by Adebayo on Mar 31, 2017 0:58:48 GMT -4
The article serves to highlight the impact of climate change and its attending increase in natural disasters on peoples lives. Disasters are stressors, that can trigger a vicious cycle of established stressors for psychiatric illness. The outcomes are determined by a combination of coping strategies, support structures and other factors in place for them. A victim of a natural disaster that cost him his source of livelihood, employment and connections to his primary social support structure is at risk of engaging in several maladaptive coping mechanism including but not limited to drugs, prostitution etc. The feeling of hopelessness, helplessness is compounded by exorbitant cost of mitigating the physical effects of such disaster. The consequence of forced migration is seen most apparent in refugee population with studies showing rates of PTSD and major depression In the adult population as high as 10-40% and 5-15% respectively with grimmer outlook in children and adolescents. This is a wake up call to stake holders to take a multifaceted approach to prevention and management of climate change and its consequences. Reference: refugeehealthta.org/physical-mental-health/mental-health/
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Sanju R. Wadhwa - UMHS
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Post by Sanju R. Wadhwa - UMHS on Mar 31, 2017 11:33:33 GMT -4
The first thing that comes to mind after reading this article is President Trump and his budget cuts especially dealing with the environment as it appears even more crucial to save as it appears to be related to mental health. I am from a small city in Florida on the East Coast that is on the Atlantic Ocean that once had 2 hurricanes pass thru and over in the same year. In fact, our high school was destroyed and many students ended up living in FEMA trailers. Given a situation like that it would not be surprising at all to see a correlation with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. To lose everything that you have built in a second due to something that is really out of your control is hard to handle to say the least. I was also surprised to read that a rise in temperature can lead to aggression and violent behavior which is also interesting as I recently read that this year was the hottest average national temperature nation wide. I myself being from Florida believe to have suffered from season depression when I was in Maine in the winter months. Climate definitely plays a role in mental health and I am interested to see how much more we can uncover.
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Post by Seanne Facho on Apr 5, 2017 6:33:57 GMT -4
The psychological impact of people both directly and indirectly affected by the flood is definitely relatable. People like Heather investing time and money in a house and it being affected by natural disaster is terrible because there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. Depression, Anxiety and PTSD are highly affecting direct flood victims. Disasters such as flooding, heat waves, and drought have a significant impact on the state of mind and can be stressful. Environmental issue like rise in sea level and land changes and potential outcome forced migration can affect mental health because its affects people home. Drought outcome of economical loss and farmer suicide because of farmers lose money if droughts affect their crops.
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Post by Josiane Asaba on Apr 5, 2017 10:12:16 GMT -4
I can only imagine what people who have experienced some form of natural disaster such as floods, hurricanes ,etc have gone through. The one thing that is hard to prevent is the wrath of "Mother Nature" and one can only figure out ways to stay away from her path. What Heather Shepard and her family went through and may still go through someday is a reality of what countless number of people experience all over the world. It brings back painful memories of what Louisiana, Mississippi and many neighboring states experienced in 2005 with hurricane Katrina. Although the real struggle was felt by those directly affected, but i can say for a fact that watching everything unfold on TV was painful to many, if not, all Americans. The sheer pain, misery of cramping people in one building in the scourging heat of the summer without food and water, or fresh clothes on their back was something I would never wish on anyone, experience for that matter. The many people who lost their lives, love ones and friends was something that could probably drive someone to depression. I can understand how the thought of a flood or any other natural disaster for that matter can bring anxiety, PTSD and depression to those who have been through one.
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Post by Syed Ali Karim on Apr 6, 2017 21:10:24 GMT -4
This article discusses how natural disasters can be detrimental to a human's mental health. Whenever temperatures would spike north, people tend to get agitated and conduct acts of violence. However when floods would occur, it would cause secondary depression which would last for years. Even some people were so affected by the disasters that it caused 10-15% of folks to develop PTSD which I found staggering yet understandable. Because at the end of the day it does end up being a form of trauma that the afflicted person must carry with themselves for the duration of their life, which sounds harsh but true. The main culprit in all of this is Climate change, which is giving way to the natural disasters occurring throughout the world such as a flood that happened in London or increase in temperatures that are causing people to be intolerant of one another. Prior to climate change, the correlation between weather and mental health weren't all that strong but since Climate change is now a real phenomenon, physicians are urged to pay more attention to the people who suffer from these calamities in the forms of PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. At least the problem has been acknowledged, and hopefully we as the medical community continue to build on it.
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