Integrating mental health preparedness for climate-affected populations into European adaptation management

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a determinant of mental health. Extreme weather events, displacement, and resource insecurity can contribute to trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress. This viewpoint paper, developed within COST Action CA23113 (CliMent), argues that mental health preparedness should become a core responsibility of European climate adaptation planning. It connects two complementary dimensions: the direct, indirect, and existential pathways of climate-related distress, and a proposed Climate–Well-being Vulnerability Framework for organizing spatially relevant evidence. Drawing on a narrative synthesis of scientific literature, policy documents, and collaborative knowledge exchange, the paper outlines six propositions and seven policy recommendations linking risk recognition to service planning, resource allocation, and accountability. Geographic information systems are presented as decision-support tools, although their operational use requires harmonized data, transparent assumptions, local validation, and community participation. Particular attention is given to displacement-related stress and barriers to care, while avoiding the treatment of migrants as a homogeneous risk group. The framework connects climate, health, social, and emergency services and distinguishes conceptual guidance from validated risk assessment. Effective preparedness depends on sustained local capacity and inclusive governance as well as improved data.   Article history: Received (September 14, 2026); Revised (October 8, 2026); Accepted (October 8, 2026); Published online (October 11, 2026)