SEOUL — As South Korea experiences a record-breaking September heatwave, new research has highlighted a significant connection between rising temperatures and the deterioration of mental health. A study conducted by the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul National University, and Pusan National University has found that for every 1°C increase in average annual temperature, individuals are 13% more likely to report depressive symptoms.
This joint research, which surveyed 219,187 respondents from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Community Health Survey, underscores the growing impact of climate change on mental well-being, as South Korea grapples with historic heat. Between September 1 and 14, the average daytime high reached 31°C, the highest in 52 years, and 1.5°C above the previous record from 1998. This year’s prolonged heat has resulted in a new wave of heatwave warnings across the country, with temperatures reaching between 33°C and 35°C.
The study builds on previous research by Seoul National University, which in 2018 found that 14.6% of hospitalizations related to mental health were linked to heatwaves. Elderly individuals, particularly those over 65, are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures, with anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia, and depression being the most common disorders affected by heat exposure.
Professor Bae Sang-hyuk, from the Catholic University of Korea’s Department of Preventive Medicine, explained that higher temperatures disrupt sleep and daily activities, potentially leading to depressive symptoms. “The study results suggest we need to prepare for the psychiatric aspects of climate change among the many other health impacts it may cause,” he said.
In response to the findings, the National Centre for Mental Health has launched a project to assess the mental health impacts of climate change. Their goal is to develop tools and policies to mitigate these effects, with a comprehensive assessment set to be completed by October 2025.
As South Korea faces more extreme weather conditions, understanding and addressing the mental health implications of climate change is becoming increasingly important.