The Effects of Climate Change on the Mental Health of U.S. Latinos

New data from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) reveals most Latinos (61%) are anxious about climate change, including nearly half (47%) who worry about the impacts of climate change at least once a week. Many Latinos also feel personally affected by climate change, and 71% are concerned about the governmental response to climate change.

These findings echo prior research showing Latino communities face heightened risks and exposure to climate-related events and therefore face disproportionate harm from climate change. According to data from the Pew Research Center, 56% of U.S. Latinos live in areas that have experienced an extreme weather event within the last year.

WHAT:

Join us virtually (Zoom) for a discussion on the effects of climate change and natural disasters on our mental health, with special attention to Latino communities.

WHO:

Journalists covering Latino communities are welcome to join APA’s bilingual experts on climate change and mental health and disaster psychiatry, including:

• Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D., APA President
• Steven Sugden, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.S., Member of APA’s Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster
• Bernardo Ng, M.D., Member of APA’s Council on Communications

WHEN:

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 1-1:30 p.m. ET

WHERE:

Join the Zoom meeting: https://psychiatry-org.zoom.us/j/88477273402

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 39,200 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.