November 13th 2025

By Ailsa Colquhoun

New report highlights effect of climate change on rural mental health

Climate change will exacerbate negative pressures on mental health in rural communities, a new report concludes.

A key finding of Climate change and mental health published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) is that drought increases financial pressures, through loss of employment or livelihoods, persistent crop and livestock loss, and lower production outputs from farms. Financial pressures can also lead to additional concerns about food security.

Farming communities in the UK already experience high rates of mental health challenges, with only 55 per cent of farmers feeling positive about their mental health.

DDA Chair Dr Richard West is one of three Suffolk doctors to develop the Rural Minds Project to address the growing mental health crisis in the UK's farming communities.

Produced in collaboration with farmers, the project uses VR technology to educate future doctors about the unique challenges faced by patients living in rural areas and the effect of these challenges on mental health. Other collaborators include Revolve Labs and the Felix Cobbold Trust. An event to publicise the project was held at the House of Lords on November 12, hosted by DDA political adviser Baroness McIntosh of Pickering.

According to the UKSHA report, younger generations are additionally anxious about the future effects of climate change and a perceived lack of ability to make a difference.