Dr Llewellyn-Jones is a psychiatrist who has has a special interest in mood disorders like depression as well as anxiety and stress management in adults. On this edition of Wellbeing he examines the effects of climate change on human psychology.
We increasingly are aware that climate change is not something in the distant future – its already here, and as doctors, we’re already seeing the deadly effects, and we’re treating the casualties of extreme heatwaves, floods and bushfires. In my case and the case of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals we’re seeing today the adverse impact on people’s mental health. A lot of my younger patients are increasingly fearful about their future. They worry about having kids – some will say to me “I just don’t think the world is going to be a fit place to bring kids into,” and that’s a huge issue for them. – Dr Robert Llewellyn-Jones