The Government must act to protect people with severe mental illness from future heatwaves, according to new report from Centre for Mental Health, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of York.
Hotter summers, hidden harms finds that psychiatric medications, outdated mental health service buildings, poverty and the daily work of staying well all represent distinct challenges for people living with severe mental illness during periods of extreme heat. People with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population, often from heart and lung conditions that heat makes worse.
We have known for almost a decade that the conditions of inpatient mental health settings are unacceptable, with patients at increased risk from heat as they often cannot open windows, or leave the ward to cool down. NHS data published recently found a maintenance backlog across the NHS estate of £17.3 billion, a damning assessment of conditions in NHS health settings.
The report says the Government’s forthcoming mental health strategy for England is an opportunity to signal the importance of climate adaptation in mental health services. It can directly address the climate-related risks faced by people with a severe mental illness by funding essential changes to inpatient and community facilities before summer 2027 and by building climate resilience into the new neighbourhood centres being built.
The report also calls on integrated care boards, NHS trusts, primary care, local authorities and voluntary sector partners to take action now – including to support people to adapt their homes and ensure there are ‘cool spaces’ available to people with severe mental illness.
Andy Bell, chief executive of Centre for Mental Health, said: “Our changing climate is a major health issue. This summer, people using mental health services faced record high temperatures without additional support, and sometimes in environments that weren’t safe or suitable. The NHS must make mental health services climate resilient, starting work now to be ready for next summer. The Government’s mental health strategy can set out the essential actions so that people with mental health conditions are not put at high risk in future heatwaves.”
Peter Coventry, Professor of Health, Environment and Society at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “It’s indisputable that the climate has changed, which means we are being increasingly exposed to serious adverse weather events such as heatwaves. We know from previous work that these events can cause people to become distressed. And for those with pre-existing and more severe mental health problems these weather events can interrupt and compromise the quality of their care. People with severe mental illness have the least adaptive capacity. So, it’s crucial that the Government’s mental health strategy for England ensures that health services are better prepared and equipped to step in to prevent them tipping into crisis.”
Tim Doran, Professor of Health Policy at University of York, said: “Rising temperatures affect everyone, but people with severe mental illness are at particular risk because of their conditions and the poorly adapted places where they live and receive care. They’ve been overlooked for too long.”
Isaac Samuels OBE, a lived experience advisor for Equally Well UK, said: “Managing heat is already difficult for me… climate responses can overlook people living with severe mental illness, particularly those also facing racism, poverty or inaccessible support. Keeping safe should not depend on being able to afford cooling, travel somewhere cooler or navigate complicated advice. We need accessible information, practical support and safe spaces, shaped with us from the outset.”
The climate crisis is a mental health issue. Collective action can make a difference. The Government must prioritise action to prevent further warming, and this should be part of the upcoming cross-government mental health strategy.
The Climate Minds Coalition has curated resources for mental health professionals here, or you can check out a new initiative from Thrive London to address the climate and mental health crises together.
If you’re struggling, check out our list of helplines.
