Climate change could seriously affect mental health, says new study



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A new study found that warming temperatures due to climate change may be linked to an increase in suicide rates similar to the increase caused by economic depressions, according to a report from the study published in the newspaper Nature Climate Change . Published July 23, the results of the study show that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in monthly average temperature, suicide rates rose 0.7% in the United States and 2.1% in the United States. Mexico and this increase is similar in the warmer regions.

The researchers behind the study conclude that if climate change is not under control and temperatures continue to rise, there could be between 9,000 and 9,000 40,000 "additional suicides in the United States and Mexico by 2050".

Solomon Hsiang, a California-Berkeley professor and co-author of the study, USA TODAY stated that the study's findings support other theories that the conflict , violence and more lenient weather could be linked. "Now we see that in addition to hurting others, some people get hurt," Hsiang said. "It seems that heat deeply affects the human spirit and the way we decide to inflict damage."

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In addition to studying "historical temperature and suicide data dating back decades," USA TODAY researchers also looked at 600 million social media updates and found, by badyzing the depressive language used in these updates, that "mental well-being deteriorates during warmer periods". And with the constant increase in global temperatures as our climate changes, the warmer periods will warm up and lengthen.

"This may be the first conclusive evidence that climate change will have a substantial effect on mental health in the United States and Mexico." Marshall Burke, a professor at Stanford University and lead author of Stanford University. study, added that the 9,000 to 40,000 additional suicides "are not just a threat to humans," said Hsiang USA TODAY . "Suicide is one of the leading causes in the world, and suicide rates in the United States have increased dramatically over the last 15 years, "Burke told USA Today." So, better understanding the causes of suicide is a public health priority "

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 800,000 people commit suicide each year, as reported USA TODAY figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) show that suicide rates in the United States has increased about 30% since 1999. The study results do not mean a concrete link between climate change has been proven, warned Daniel Reidenberg, executive director of the 39, non-profit organization Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. He said USA TODAY that there are other factors at play, such as prescription costs and the economy. Burke told CNN that global warming is just one of many risk factors. "Suicide is a very complex phenomenon that is not yet well understood, and there are many other risk factors beyond the climate that are important for the risk of suicide," he said.

[implementing] policies aimed at mitigating the rise in future temperatures, " USA TODAY'S reported, but of course, if climate change and suicide risk are really related, it is important to focus on how to better help people struggling with their mental health not only during the warmer months, but throughout the year

If you know anyone who has suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Information Line at 1-800-273-8255 or e-mail the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also contact Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 or 1-800-273-8255. Trevor's line of life at 1-866-488-7386, or at your local suicide crisis center . [ad_2]
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