Climate change fuels rising mental health concerns across Missouri

Health professionals are raising concerns over mounting evidence that climate change is taking a toll on mental health, with Missouri residents among those affected.

Federal records show Missouri has faced 85 disaster declarations since 1980, the majority linked to severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. These repeated weather emergencies are contributing to increased psychological strain across the state.

Margaret Klein Salamon, a clinical psychologist with the Climate Emergency Fund, emphasized that emotional responses to extreme weather are genuine and should not be dismissed. She noted that the real difficulty arises when individuals struggle to process their reactions. “We feel fear, anger, grief, guilt. That actually is not the problem,” Salamon said. “The problem is, we don’t know what to do with them. People are repressing them, and denying them, and saying, ‘It must be fine, I’m overreacting.’”

She advised against suppressing emotions through positive self-talk and instead urged individuals to seek out healthy outlets. Options include speaking with a therapist, confiding in a family member or friend, and maintaining physical activity as a way to support emotional well-being.

Missouri experiences an average of about 32 tornadoes annually, but in 2024, the state recorded 105 reports, approaching a historic high. Mental health experts warn that repeated exposure to such severe events can intensify climate anxiety, which studies suggest impacts nearly half of people ages 16 to 25.

Salamon underscored the importance of addressing feelings directly and combating the sense of isolation that often accompanies them. “‘I’m feeling really scared – whatever it is, about this heat wave and about climate change. How are you doing with it?’ Isolation and helplessness are really the enemies to confront,” she said.

She added that engaging with others, whether by joining an environmental organization, advocating for climate policy, or simply checking in with friends, not only helps manage fear but also encourages collective solutions.