Extreme Heat and Suicide - Maggie Scarpa
Chico will have on average 20 extreme heat days annually by 2037 [1] and the “summer” heat will creep into October, and into early June. [2] Nighttime low temperatures are rising faster than daytime highs, so 2037 will also have 20 warm nights annually, compared to the average of 4 historically. So extreme heat will be for more days overall, last months longer, and people will not have time to recover from the heat since the nights will continued to be hot.
Resident life for students living on campus will be affected. Higher temperatures, it leads to higher aggression and violent temperatures [3]. With higher frequency of natural disasters, the victims are at increased risk of PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression [4], anxiety and suicide. [5] 25 to 50 percent of victims of extreme weather disasters may experience negative mental health affects as a result. [6] There can be up to 40,000 additional suicides in the US and Mexico by 2050, and that temperature increase by 2050 could increase suicides 1.4 percent in the US. Mental health is going to be an even bigger issue in resident life than before. [7] 30% of college students already feel too depressed to function at some point in the year. [8] There will be higher rates of depression and depressive symptoms with the onset of higher temperatures. In addition, when students spend time in heat waves, there can be significant detrimental effects, to their cognitive functioning. [9] All in all, students in college will be suffering more with mental health and cognitive abilities in 2037.
[1] CalAdapt, Extreme Heat Days & Warm Nights: Timing
[2] CalAdapt, Extreme Heat Days & Warm Nights: Timing
[3] National Institute of Health, Mental Health Effects for Climate Change
[4] National Institute of Health, Mental Health Effects for Climate Change
[5] American Public Health Association, Climate Changes Mental Health
[6] Union of Concerned Scientists, Climate Change and Mental Health
[7] Common Dreams, New Study Reveals Climate Change Could Prompt Tens Thousands Additional Suicides
[8] National Institute of Mental Health, Depression and College Students
[9] Voice of America, Hot Dorm Rooms Could Affect Students’ Memory
[2] CalAdapt, Extreme Heat Days & Warm Nights: Timing
[3] National Institute of Health, Mental Health Effects for Climate Change
[4] National Institute of Health, Mental Health Effects for Climate Change
[5] American Public Health Association, Climate Changes Mental Health
[6] Union of Concerned Scientists, Climate Change and Mental Health
[7] Common Dreams, New Study Reveals Climate Change Could Prompt Tens Thousands Additional Suicides
[8] National Institute of Mental Health, Depression and College Students
[9] Voice of America, Hot Dorm Rooms Could Affect Students’ Memory
