American Psychiatric Association in its report titled Rs Extreme Heat Contributes to Worsening Mental Health, Especially Among Vulnerable Populations’ says that extreme heat has been associated with a range of mental health, including an increase in irritability and symptoms of depression and an increase in suicide. It can also affect behaviour, contributing to increased aggression, the incidence of domestic violence, and increased use of alcohol or other substances to cope with stress..
Heat and mental health
- Physical health, mental health, human well-being, and heat waves appear to be specifically interconnected.
- Heat stress directly caused by heatwaves has been associated with mood disorders, anxiety, and related consequences.
- In India as people stay outside more during summer their exposure to the heat is very high. This could increase feelings of hostility and aggressive thoughts and possible actions. The increase in heat-related violence is greater in summers
