Climate change could be behind increased drug use and risk of mental health issues, according to a government report.
The report, by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that ‘eco-fear’ could lead to drug abuse, as people try to manage their emotions around climate change.
It has also linked climate change fears, also called ‘eco-guilt’, ‘eco-grief’ and ‘eco-anger’, to increased risks of certain mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
The report, overseen by the Department of Health and Social Care, has also linked climate change concerns to an increased risk of people taking their own lives.
It states there is ‘considerable evidence’ linking climate change worries to ‘increased risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicide, substance misuse and violent behaviour, as well as reduced wellbeing and difficult climate emotions.’
The risk of violent behaviour and domestic violence, the report states, can increase as a result of extreme weather.
It concludes that the impacts can be ‘long-lasting, ranging from months, years and even decades’, and could have a particular affect on farmers and agricultural communities, where it will ‘compound existing mental health challenges.’
And the impact is not just being felt by those whose lives have been directly impacted by climate change through wildfires, flooding or drought, but also those who have an ‘overarching awareness’ climate change is taking place.
The report states this awareness can lead to a huge range of emotions from sadness, fear and anger, to low mood, panic and helplessness.
Climate change could be behind increased drug use and risk of mental health issues, according to a government report (stock image)
The impact is not just being felt by those whose lives have been directly impacted by climate change through wildfires, flooding or drought (Pictured: A car burns during the wildfire in Meda, Portugal, in August 2025)
This, the report says, can increase the risk of ‘psychological distress’ and ‘substance misuse’.
While evidence of a link between substance abuse and direct impact of climate change is mixed, there is evidence that victims of incidents such as flooding and wildfires have suffered from PTSD.
The report goes on to claim that ‘ambient temperature’ could also lead to mental health problems, showing ‘links between greater suicide risk and higher mental health-related hospital attendance associated with increases in ambient temperature.’
It adds that the result will likely be an increased demand on healthcare services.
But the report adds these impacts could have positive change, and result in people taking climate action.
This could, the researchers argue, ‘alleviate climate-related distress and promote wellbeing, creating a sense of control and community’.
