Climate-related extreme temperature exposures, climate-sensitive hazards and mental health in Southeast Asia: a scoping review

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major determinant of mental health, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and climate-related displacement contributing to psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. Southeast Asia is particularly vulnerable because of its exposure to heat, flooding, storms, and other climate-sensitive hazards, yet the regional evidence remains fragmented. This project will involve a structured literature review/scoping review of published studies on the impact of climate change on mental health in Southeast Asia. The aim is to synthesise current evidence, identify vulnerable populations, and highlight important research and policy gaps. The objectives are to: (1) identify key pathways linking climate-related exposures to mental health outcomes; (2) describe the mental health impacts associated with different climate-related events; (3) examine which populations are most vulnerable, including children, Indigenous communities, and low-resource populations; and (4) propose possible mitigation, adaptation, and support strategies.