Climate change, mental health and wellbeing: privileging Pacific peoples' perspectives - phase one

Impacts of climate change in the Pacific are far reaching and include effects on mental health and wellbeing. Pacific concepts around the interrelation of these global giants are yet to be described. The aim of this study was to seek consensus amongst Pacific mental health and/or climate change experts on key principles underpinning mental health and wellbeing, and climate change, and the intersection of the two, for Pacific peoples. The Delphi method included forming a panel of 70 experts. Two rounds of online questionnaires sought their views on mental health and wellbeing, and climate change and the impact upon Pacific peoples. Of the panel 86% identified with one or more Pacific ethnicities. Six themes emerged, 92% of items reached consensus and 36% reached strong consensus of >95%. Recurring subthemes included culture and spirituality, family and community, connection to ancestors, connection to the environment, resilience, disasters, livelihoods, government, education, workforce, migration and stigma. This is the first time these concepts have been explored and described for, and by Pacific peoples in this format. It is a necessary first step towards development of responses in preparedness of mental health services, in the Pacific region, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Automated summary

Impacts of climate change in the Pacific have significant effects on the mental health and wellbeing of Pacific peoples. This study aimed to gather consensus from Pacific mental health and/or climate change experts on key principles related to mental health, climate change, and their intersection. The Delphi method was used to form a panel of 70 experts who participated in two rounds of online questionnaires. The study identified six themes and reached consensus on 92% of the items, with strong consensus on 36% of them. This is the first exploration and description of these concepts by Pacific peoples in this format, serving as an important step towards developing preparedness and response in mental health services in the Pacific region and New Zealand.