This post is written by Danielle Hemming, Policy Advisor (Health) – Secondee Ministry of Health & Wellness, Cayman Islands Government.

  • The problem: Climate change has negative impacts on mental health.
  • Why it matters: Climate change has led to receding coastlines and increased temperatures and the impacts are debilitating to locals and place a strain on their mental state.
  • The solution: Increased discussions on the acknowledgement of how the environment can affect the mental state of individuals; with collaborative efforts to implement proactive changes in policies.

The Cayman Islands is approximately 100 square miles and is constituted of three small islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. I grew up on the largest island, Grand Cayman, in the central district called Bodden Town.

As a little girl, I recalled my mother saying, “the foolish man built his house upon the sand but the wise man built his house on the rock.” This saying embodied the approach of the older generation of Caymanians who believed that it was best to build homes inland and reserve the coastal areas for swimming, fishing, lounging or burying their loved ones.

The impacts of climate change are drastic and easily noticeable: two of them being rising temperatures and sea levels.

The natives and visitors alike, enjoy spending time swimming in the healing Caribbean waters, which positively improves mental health and wellbeing. Alternatively, you can still witness decades-old cemeteries on various beaches. However, some have been relocated to accommodate luxurious high-rise hotels or homes, so the owners and their stakeholders can have direct access to the amazing blue and green hues of the Caribbean Sea. Adversely, the threat of beach erosion may lead to anxiety, and fear and negatively impact the state of the locals’ mental health.

Climate’s impact

The impacts of climate change are drastic and easily noticeable: two of them being rising temperatures and sea levels. The increased humidity and temperatures create prime conditions for the breeding of disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes.

Currently, the Mosquito Research Control Unit (MRCU) is doing an excellent job of monitoring and repelling the mosquito population on the island but it’s impossible to eradicate them all nor is the goal to do so. Not only are they a pest but the mosquitos can potentially transfer diseases like malaria and dengue to the populace which can exasperate health systems. Furthermore, the high temperatures have led to the demand for air-conditioning use which results in higher utility bills.

A study from the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that half of all adults with a debt problem also live with mental ill-health. Similarly, scientists have found that there is also a correlation between the increase in temperatures and the occurrences of hurricanes.

Whispering in the wind

Hurricanes and storms can potentially bring about devastating effects like damage to property and ecosystems, utility loss, flooding, contamination of water supply lines and beach erosion. Recently, Hurricane Ian brushed close to the island and although it did not have a direct impact, it increased beach erosion, flooding and shoreline recession. As a result, many beachfront properties continue to lose more of their land to the sea.

Can you imagine the insurmountable amount of stress that you would be facing if this was your property or your favourite place to swim? Accordingly, the fear for the island’s future could cause further distress to individuals with existing mental health disorders.

Regardless of whether your choice is to build on the sand or rock, the future of the environment and by extension, mental health, is uncertain. What will you do to combat climate change?

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(Image Credit: Unsplash)