Climate change and mental health in the Philippines

Abstract

The mental health repercussions of the climate crisis are observed annually in the Philippines, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries. This paper explores these repercussions by examining the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. It shows that mental health problems persisted beyond the typhoon's immediate aftermath among a large number of survivors. Since the mental health system was fragile, the affected community improved their mental health services through the help of local and international non-governmental organisations. Nonetheless, several challenges must be addressed as the country faces the climate crisis.

Geopsychiatry and political determinants of mental health in the Philippines

“…For example, in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons in history, devastated the Philippines, resulting in substantial loss of livelihoods, thousands of deaths, destruction of about a million homes, and displacement of about four million people (Alibudbud, 2023a). In the aftermath, the World Health Organization estimated that almost 800,000 Filipinos suffered from mental health conditions (Alibudbud, 2023a). Therefore, it is crucial to regularly assess and address the multi-faceted impact of natural disasters on worsening mental health and its determinants, including exacerbated poverty, displacement, climate anxiety, and post-traumatic disorder, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and sexual and gender minorities (Alibudbud, 2023b;Guinto et al, 2021;Sri et al, 2023).…”

“…One of the major challenges affecting Filipinos’ mental health is the frequent occurrence of natural disasters such as typhoons and volcanic eruptions (Alibudbud, 2023a; Eala et al, 2022; Guinto et al, 2021). For example, in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons in history, devastated the Philippines, resulting in substantial loss of livelihoods, thousands of deaths, destruction of about a million homes, and displacement of about four million people (Alibudbud, 2023a). In the aftermath, the World Health Organization estimated that almost 800,000 Filipinos suffered from mental health conditions (Alibudbud, 2023a).…”

HIV Service Delivery Innovations in the Philippines during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In addition to HIV intervention innovations, there may also be a need to strengthen your HIV service delivery [ 2 ]. In this correspondence, I share several innovations in HIV service delivery during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Philippines, a climate-vulnerable middle-income country [ 3 ].…”

“…The Philippines experiences at least 20 typhoons every year [ 3 ]. These typhoons can lead to the destruction of livelihoods, displacement, and deaths [ 3 ]. The Philippines faces severe droughts and increasing sea levels [ 3 ].…”

“…These typhoons can lead to the destruction of livelihoods, displacement, and deaths [ 3 ]. The Philippines faces severe droughts and increasing sea levels [ 3 ]. It also has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region prior to the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4 5 ].…”