Environmental challenges and mental health: A perspective of sustainable development

Pages: 699-703
Alpana Mohan (Department of Psychology, VMLG (PG) College, Ghaziabad)

Protection of environment has posed not only a major challenge but also a social and moral responsibility in the present society. Environmental threats to any individual’s physical & mental health can broadly be divided into “Traditional” hazards, stemming largely from a lack of development, and “modern” hazards, arising essentially from unsustainable patterns of development. Mental health is defined as a “state of wellbeing enabling individuals to realize their abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities (WHO, Book on Mental Health). The Rio Declaration on Environmental and Development states that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development, and that they are entitled to a healthy and productive life, in harmony with nature. The goals of sustainable development can only be achieved in the absence of a high prevalence of debilitating disease, while obtaining health gains for the whole population requires poverty eradication. There is an urgent need to address the causes of ill health, including environmental causes, and their impact on development, with particular emphasis on women and children, as well as vulnerable groups of society, such as people with disabilities, elderly persons and indigenous people. In developing countries, like India is facing newer hazards associated with chemical contamination of the environment are significant. In developing countries, health and environmental problems are often related to poverty and arise largely as a result of such factors as rapid, uncontrolled urbanization and agricultural and land-use practices. In addition to hazards related to pollution, vector-borne environmental diseases may be prevalent as well as health and environmental problems associated with a lack of proper shelter, water and sanitation or poor food hygiene. The research paper will therefore, elaborate three area of emerging concern about the relationship between environmental hazards and mental health. Firstly, the direct impacts of climate change, urbanization, poverty are likely to impacts on mental health concerns. Secondly emerging understanding of the ways in which climate change as a global environmental threat may create distress and anxiety about the future. Third, we summarize with some reflections on future policy practice & recommendation for mental health promotion & attainment of sustainable development. Journey for sustainable development is continue from seventies & will be continue, if we would be able to achieve the ultimate goal to attain good mental health.