Heat amplifies mental health impacts, authorities warn

WASHINGTON — Authorities in the District of Columbia are advising residents to pay attention to mental health, as studies show heat adds to stress, anxiety, depression and other challenges.

"Most of us are very well aware of the impact extreme heat has on our physical body and our functioning. What most people don't realize is that extreme heat can have just as much or more extreme impact on our mental health," said  Dr. Jean Moise, the Deputy Director of DC’s Department of Behavioral Health.

"Extreme heat is linked to increased irritability and depression as well as fluctuations in emotion and mood," Moise said.

Numerous psychiatric medications like SSRIs for depression can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate heat.

"The heat affects your medication, and your medication affects your body’s ability to regulate heat," Moise cautioned.

A 2023 study of global data found a 7% to 9% increase in hospitalizations for mental illness during heat events as well as evidence of an increase in suicides, though the study's authors cautioned that more data is needed to confirm the association.

Authorities advise residents under treatment for mental health conditions, or those feeling symptoms should stay as cool as possible, avoid drug and alcohol misuse, and seek help or check in with a mental health provider.

Meanwhile, weekly reporting from Virginia showed large spike in heat related illness hospitalizations from July 4th through Saturday July 6th, which does not count mental health hospitalizations in the data.

On July 6 , Virginia reported 111, heat related illness hospitalizations which is the highest number for a single day so far in 2024.

Heat illness effects, both mental and physical, are an expected outcome of extended and repeated heat episodes that are now accompanying climate change, according to the US Centers for Disease control.   Poorer, and older people are disproportionately affected.