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Mental health and climate change: Making mental health systems climate resilient and sustainable

Categories: Global, Climate resilient health systems, Healthy climate action in other sectors

Publisher: World Health Organization

05.06.2025

Online

First Session time: 09h00 - 10h30 CEST     |     Second Session time: 19h00 - 20h30 CEST

This Technical Meeting, hosted by United for Global Mental Health, will provide a platform for ATACH members to share their experiences and expertise in integrating mental health resilience into national climate adaptation strategies. 

The discussion will be an opportunity for ATACH countries and partners to exchange on strategies to strengthen mental health systems, integrate climate considerations into policies, and promote long-term resilience in the face of climate change.

Technical Meeting recording

Agenda

Time (CEST)

Agenda Item

Speaker

9.00

Opening

Dr. Alessandro Massazza, United for Global Mental Health

9.05

Introduction to climate change and mental health

Dr. Emma Lawrance, Climate Cares Centre, Imperial College London, UK

9.10

The impact of climate change on mental health systems: Case studies from Sri Lanka and Mozambique

Ananda Galappatti, Co-Director of MHPSS.net and Director of Strategy of The Good Practice Group, Sri Lanka

Dr. Palmira Fortunato dos Santos, Coordinator of the Mental Health Trauma and Violence Program, National Institute of Health of Mozambique

9.25

Making mental health systems sustainable: A case study from the UK

Dr. Laura-Louise Arundell, Senior Researcher, Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK

9.35

Q&A

 

9.45

Break

 

9.55

Strengthening mental health systems in the context of climate change: Case studies from Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, and WHO EURO

Dr. Medhin Selamu, WHO Country Office, Ethiopia

Mita Rani Roy Chowdhury, Regional Mental Health Advisor for Asia, CBM Global

Dr. Jaya Kumar, Professor, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS), India

Dr. Mareike Kroll, Technical Officer, WHO Europe, Germany

10.15

Q&A

 

10.20

Closing remarks

Dr. Mark van Ommeren, Head of Mental Health Unit, WHO

End of meeting

Second Session

Time (CEST)

Agenda Item

Speaker

19.00

Opening

Dr. Alessandro Massazza, United for Global Mental Health

19.05

Introduction to climate change and mental health

Dr. Emma Lawrance, Climate Cares Centre, Imperial College London

19.10

The impact of climate change on mental health systems: Case studies from Brazil, Peru, and the Maldives

Dr. Marcio Gagliato, Humanitarian Independent Advisor, MHPSS.net Co-Director, Brazil

Dr. Elaine Flores, Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

Aishath Shahula Ahmed, Child Development Programme Specialist (Health, Nutrition, Mental Health), UNICEF Maldives 

19.30

Making mental health systems sustainable: A case study from the UK

Dr. Laura-Louise Arundell, Senior Researcher, Royal College of Psychiatrists

19.40

Q&A

 

19.50

Break

 

20.00

Strengthening mental health systems in the context of climate change: Case studies from Trinidad and Tobago, Rwanda, and Kenya

Dr. Katija Khan, President, Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations, Trinidad and Tobago

Joie Sophie Umhoza, Founder and CEO, ECO-MAMA, Rwanda

Dr. Mercy Njeru, Founder, AgriPsych Beam Ltd, Kenya 

20.15

Q&A

 

20.20

Closing remarks

Dr. Mark van Ommeren, Head of Mental Health Unit, WHO

End of meeting

Related resources

Mental health and climate change: policy brief

03.06.2022

This policy brief provides recommendations for ensuring necessary mental and psychosocial support amid climatic changes globally, taking into account the relationship between climate change, mental and psychosocial health and services.