“Climate Change and Mental Strain" : Navigating Climate Anxiety Towards Strengthening Mental Health Policies and Interventions in the Philippines

• Information

  “Climate Change and Mental Strain" : Navigating Climate Anxiety Towards Strengthening Mental Health Policies and Interventions in the Philippines - Information

  Matched Team	Team 65
  Name	Richie Enecillo	Country	Philippines
  Scholarship	G-20	Email Address	enecillo@kdis.ac.kr
  Year	2023	Program	MPM
  Workplace Category	Government	Workplace	Manila, Philippines
  Department	Ministry of Health	Position	Senior Health Program Officer

• Brief intro of project

  “Climate Change and Mental Strain" : Navigating Climate Anxiety Towards Strengthening Mental Health Policies and Interventions in the Philippines - Brief intro of project

  Title	“Climate Change and Mental Strain" : Navigating Climate Anxiety Towards Strengthening Mental Health Policies and Interventions in the Philippines
  Sustainable Development Goals	3. Good Health and Well-Being
  Timely Global Issues	2. Comparative Policy Analysis
  Sub-topic that describes project	Health
  Summary of your project	The Philippines, being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, faces significant challenges due to natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. These recurrent disasters have caused considerable loss of life, displacement, and damage to infrastructure. In recent years, the increasing frequency and intensity of these events, compounded by the effects of climate change, have contributed to growing concerns about environmental and climate-related issues. This growing anxiety surrounding environmental destruction and the fear of future catastrophic events has led to the emergence of eco-anxiety, a psychological condition characterized by persistent worry and stress about environmental degradation and the long-term impact of climate change. For disaster-prone countries like the Philippines, climate anxiety can have profound effects on the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Despite the recognition of climate anxiety as a growing mental health concern globally, there remains a lack of targeted study in the Philippine context. This project seeks to assess the prevalence and impact of climate anxiety among Filipinos, particularly those living in disaster-prone areas, and use these findings to inform and improve mental health interventions and policies aimed at addressing eco-anxiety and its associated psychological impacts.

• Alumni or organization want to cooperate with

  “Climate Change and Mental Strain" : Navigating Climate Anxiety Towards Strengthening Mental Health Policies and Interventions in the Philippines - Alumni or organization want to cooperate with

  Specific alumni in mind	Ruli Aprilla Zin Khin Thidar
  Specific nationality of the alumni in mind	Myanmar Indonesia
  Specific organization(s) / workplace(s) in mind	Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Development Planning, Ministry of Environment Protection and Climate Change, Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations,
  Specific work position(s) in mind	Policy Work, Healthcare, Environmental Protection, Finance and Investment, National Development Planning

• Details of Cooperation Project

  “Climate Change and Mental Strain" : Navigating Climate Anxiety Towards Strengthening Mental Health Policies and Interventions in the Philippines - Details of Cooperation Project

  Objective of the Project	1. To determine the extent of climate anxiety including specific symptoms and emotional impacts among individuals in the Philippines, particularly focusing on regions frequently impacted by natural disasters. 2. To evaluate the existing mental health interventions and support systems available in the Philippines for individuals experiencing eco-anxiety, and identify gaps in the current mental health infrastructure. 3. To develop evidence-based recommendations for mental health policies and interventions including public awareness and education tailored to addressing eco-anxiety in disaster-prone areas, with a focus on both short-term and long-term mental health care.
  Expected Benefits from the Project	1. A clearer understanding of the prevalence, symptoms, and psychological impacts of climate anxiety among different demographics in the Philippines, particularly in high-risk disaster areas. 2. The development of more effective and tailored mental health interventions for those affected by climate anxiety, based on findings from the study. 3. Evidence-based recommendations that can guide policymakers in creating or updating mental health policies to specifically address eco-anxiety in disaster-prone areas, ensuring that mental health support is integrated into disaster management strategies. 4. Greater public awareness of climate anxiety, leading to improved community understanding of its effects and reduced stigma associated with mental health challenges related to environmental concerns.
  Anything you would like to inform the potential partner	The project aims to address issues related to SDG 3 on Good Health and well-being as it explores the prevalence and impact of climate anxiety among Filipinos, particularly those living in disaster-prone areas as well as SDG 13 on Climate Action as the findings shall inform and improve mental health and climate change/ environmental interventions specifically in addressing climate anxiety and its associated psychological impacts.