Healing Minds in a Changing Climate: The Role of Psychiatric Nurses in Mitigating Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change and Environmental Disasters

Background: Climate change and environmental disasters increasingly affect mental health, yet psychiatric nurses’ preparedness to address these challenges remains underexplored. Limited training, lack of resources, and inadequate institutional support hinder integration of climate-related mental health care into nursing practice. Aim: This study aimed to assess the role of psychiatric nurses in mitigating mental health impacts of climate change and environmental disasters, focusing on their preparedness, perceived barriers, and influencing factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 80 psychiatric nurses using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and inferential testing to explore associations between demographic variables and knowledge scores. Results: The mean confidence score for assessing climate-related distress was 2.5, with “lack of training” (92.5%) and “no screening tools” (81.2%) identified as major barriers. Providing interventions for eco-anxiety scored lower (2.0), while participation in disaster resilience planning was least prepared (1.8). Key barriers included lack of training (67.5%), inadequate institutional support (57.5%), and absence of guidelines (45%). Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) scored significantly higher in knowledge compared to diploma holders (p=0.03). Conclusion: Psychiatric nurses demonstrated limited preparedness to address climate-related mental health impacts. Strengthening training, institutional support, and clear guidelines are recommended to enhance their role in climate resilience.