CITIZENS ’PERCEPTION OF THE ADEQUACY OF THE INSTITUTIONS’ ACTIVITIES IN TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROTECTION REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGES

Abstract

Studies have shown that, people suffer from the effects of climate change. The
consequences of natural disasters include shock reactions, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), depression, anxiety, phobic disordersand suicidal behavior. In addition to poor
harvests and economic losses, changes in the natural environment cause a grief and sorrow
due to the loss of important places and landscapes.Every human being is affected by the
consequences of climate change, especially since climate change is at a stage when a “red
code” for humanity is included. Some categories of people are more vulnerable to the potential
impacts of climate change. They are: children, elderly, chronically ill, people with cognitive
impairments, limited mobility, pregnant women, people with mental health disorders, with
lower socioeconomic status, migrants, refugees, the homeless.In Macedonia in 2021 a survey
was conducted on the impact of the effects of climate change on mental health. Data showed
that although most respondents know what climate change is and consider it a moderate risk
in society, almost all respondents said that they cause some of the negative emotions such
as depression, despair, hopelessness, fear and powerlessness. Most of the respondents either
do not know what the relevant Macedonian institutions are doing to prevent and mitigate
the consequences of climate change or they think that the Macedonian society is not taking
measures in that direction.Given the importance of preventing the mental health of the
population, we hope that the findings of this research would be useful in creating state policies
and strategies for tackling climate change.