What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess the direct effects of heat stress on mental health, focusing on depressive symptoms in rural India.

April 25, 2026Journal of Environmental Economics and ManagementOpen Access

The mental health toll of heat stress in India

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Authors

MFManuela Fritz

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Overview

Randomized trial shows heat stress increases depressive symptoms in rural populations, suggesting need for mental health integration in climate policies.

Key Points

This research aims to assess the direct effects of heat stress on mental health, focusing on depressive symptoms in rural India.
Combined self-reported depression and anxiety data from the Indian WHO-SAGE survey with high-resolution climate data.
Utilized a measure of wet bulb temperature to account for interactions between heat and humidity.
Exploited quasi-random variation in heat exposure from survey timing and location.
Exposure to extreme heat stress increases reporting of depressive symptoms (wet bulb temperature) but not anxiety symptoms.
Effects are smaller and insignificant when using dry bulb temperature with humidity as a linear control variable.
Access to the District Mental Health Program mitigates negative impacts of heat stress on mental health.

Cite This Study

Manuela Fritz (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ec5a2588ba6daa22dabbdc https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2026.103348

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April 25, 2026Journal of Environmental Economics and ManagementOpen Access

The mental health toll of heat stress in India

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MFManuela Fritz

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Randomized trial shows heat stress increases depressive symptoms in rural populations, suggesting need for mental health integration in climate policies.

Key Points

This research aims to assess the direct effects of heat stress on mental health, focusing on depressive symptoms in rural India.
Combined self-reported depression and anxiety data from the Indian WHO-SAGE survey with high-resolution climate data.
Utilized a measure of wet bulb temperature to account for interactions between heat and humidity.
Exploited quasi-random variation in heat exposure from survey timing and location.
Exposure to extreme heat stress increases reporting of depressive symptoms (wet bulb temperature) but not anxiety symptoms.
Effects are smaller and insignificant when using dry bulb temperature with humidity as a linear control variable.
Access to the District Mental Health Program mitigates negative impacts of heat stress on mental health.

Cite This Study

Manuela Fritz (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ec5a2588ba6daa22dabbdc https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2026.103348

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