Things are getting heated: What philanthropy can do to integrate mental health into extreme heat solutions

A city at its breaking point

As Berlin and other parts of Germany experienced temperatures of over 40 degrees this summer, the public transport infrastructure began to collapse, events were cancelled, and sirens could be heard in the background for days. People around me were visibly suffering as the city became almost unbearable. Or should I say, for some parts of the city and some people?

The area of Berlin where I live is mostly working-class and has limited resources. It is famous for resisting gentrification until now. Here, I see construction workers continuing to work in the extreme heat, elderly people doing their weekly shopping in the open air with no shade in sight, and people experiencing homelessness or addiction failing to find somewhere safe to cool down. A city famous for its bad mood also made the impact of extreme heat on mental health very tangible, with aggressiveness and irritability rising even more than usual around me, while the exhaustion of everyone moving through the city in these temperatures was also palpable.

The official advice was to stay indoors and out of the heat, and to drink enough water. But that is not an option for everyone, whether due to income or loneliness. After getting some water for an older man who was visibly suffering from dehydration, I chatted with him briefly. He simply said that he just wanted to be outside and not alone at home. I started carrying bottles of water, snacks, and extra change with me, and they were all gone by the end of the heatwave.

My experience might be a personal tipping point, but it has been the reality in places suffering from climate change-induced extreme heat across the globe for a long time. All of this shows that heat is not just about physical health; we also need to consider our mental well-being, prioritising those most vulnerable in philanthropic funding and public health services, urban areas and beyond.

Who bears the brunt?

Extreme heat has an immense effect on people’s mental well-being. For those already living with mental health conditions, it can worsen symptoms and increase suicide risk. Depending on where you work and live, your socioeconomic capital, and your sensitivity to heat, different groups face different challenges. Displaced populations, agricultural and rural workers, and people residing in institutions such as prisons face a lack of heat protection and access to mental health support, as well as financial worries due to loss of income. Some groups are more sensitive to the heat, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are also at an increased risk of violence and isolation.

What can philanthropy do about it?

As is often the case, there are certain gaps in which philanthropy can make a difference. In this case, funding can catalyse change towards heat policies and community-driven heat projects that incorporate mental health. This can provide immediate relief for those already experiencing the consequences, while helping to build more resilient health systems in the long term.

While some funders like Wellcome are supporting research to better understand the mechanisms through which heat impacts mental health, as well as, research on impacts in under-researched settings, there are different entry points beyond research funding.

More local and community focused foundations can seek to build local heat-outreach teams such as NYC’s Be a Buddy, a community-led social resilience programme during high and extreme heat periods, that make sure mental health support is part of their heat-related outreach. To improve psychological support during periods of extreme heat, training can be implemented to help mental health staff recognise heat-related illnesses and connect patients with the right resources and support, thereby protecting them from harm.

Only 14% of heat policies include specific interventions to address the mental health impacts of heat. Research on the psychological dimensions of existing heat action plans as in Ahmedabad, India, have shown that while heat plans succeed in reducing mortality following extreme heat, there are unmeasured psychological harms that need to be addressed, too. Thus, supporting organisations that engage in advocacy work is crucial for making sure mental health gets a seat at the table. An example is the recent policy recommendations by United for Global Mental Health, also supported by Wellcome.

The urban heat island makes urban cities particularly prone to heatwaves in the climate crisis. Thus, bringing together mental health experts, urban planners, policy makers and people with lived experiences could be an excellent way for philanthropy to leverage its convening power. Many cities are trying to tackle urban heat by creating more green and blue spaces, being able to provide relief from the heat while improving mental well-being through fostering community engagement and nature connection, such as Huertos in the Sky.

The coldest summer of our lives?

With record-breaking heatwaves sweeping across Europe this year, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of climate change coverage in the news and its negative impact on our collective mental well-being, particularly earlier during the heatwaves. Despite the staggering number of lives lost to the heat this summer alone (currently estimated at 14,000), most mainstream German media outlets and politicians mentioning climate change are still few. Not to mention the impact of extreme heat on mental health issues and our already overburdened healthcare system.

Going forward, this might well be the coldest summer our lifetimes. We need to ensure that in our efforts against extreme heat, mental health is part of the equation. And philanthropy has the opportunity to ensure that mental health is no longer neglected, from policymaking to community outreach.

To dive further into the topic, download Active Philanthropy’s Mental Health Extreme Heat