Thread by @KristiWhitePhD

I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the impact of #ExtremeHeat on behavior & #MentalHealth with @kare11 on behalf of @HennepinHC on Friday.

A brief #tweetorial on some other important details that weren’t able to be included in the segment.🧵

google.com/amp/s/www.kare…

Hotter temperatures are associated with changes in behavior such as increases in violence, aggression, & impulsivity. #ClimateChange is increasing temperatures & it is predicted that we will see more violence & conflict as #HeatWaves increase. 2/9

psychologicalscience.org/observer/globa…

Regarding mental health, #HeatWaves are also associated with increased #SuicideRisk & psychiatric hospitalizations. 3/9

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30007545/

Also, #heat-related hospitalizations have been associated w/taking certain psychotropic medications. These meds may impair the body’s ability to thermo-regulate. We need more research to better understand the increased risk for ppl taking these meds. 4/9

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31642960/

We also see an association between pre-existing #MentalHealth conditions and increased risk of poor mental health outcomes during #HeatWaves. 5/9

reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/…

There’s been a lot of talk about ⬆️ in #GunViolence & there is a harmful narrative out there about the connection to #MentalIllness. Contrary to popular belief, people with serious mental illness are more likely to be the victims of gun violence. 6/9

apa.org/monitor/2020/0…

For ppl who want a more nuanced understanding of the data on mental illness & violence & debunking associated myths, check out the recent @APA Monitor article below. 7/9

apa.org/monitor/2021/0…

Bottom line: #ExtremeHeat impacts us all. It is associated w/ worse medical, behavioral, mood, & #MentalHealth outcomes & we don’t fully know why. #ClimateChange is expected to worsen #HeatWaves & the associated medical, behavioral, mood & mental health outcomes. 8/9

Talk to your #HealthCare provider about how #ClimateChange impacts your health. There is ⬆️ awareness of this in the medical community & growing #’s of #ClimateAware clinicians who are helping their patients adapt their care plans for how #ClimateChangesHealth.

/end

@threadreaderapp please unroll.