Hub Community on Global Mental Health’s scientific contributions

Climate change is contributing to conflicts and fragile environments, and conflict can contribute to climate change and reduce climate resilience. Following a biopsychosocial systemic model, physical health, mental health and social well-being are equally threatened by conflict and climate impacts. https://www.globalhealthhub.de/fileadmin/general_documents/202412_Poster_GH_in_Conflict_Settings_-_Mental_Health.pdf

We, members of the Global Health Hub Germany, welcome the initiative from the Federal Government to address connections between the environment, climate change and health in a holistic way. We hope that this marks the beginning of a collaboration between both scientists and industry-experts as well as “experts-by-experience”, i.e., those affected by climate change and/or living with mental health concerns. In this policy brief, we focus on two central themes: 1. The climate crisis as also a crisis of mental health that requires transdisciplinary thinking and collaboration at all levels. 2. Examples of good practice exist both nationally and internationally that can guide the implementation of actions.

For the first time since the foundation of the Global Health Hub Germany in 2019, the members voted on an overarching and crosscutting topic for 2022: mental Health and well-being. By choosing this topic, Community members aimed for a deeper understanding of the relevance of mental health for the work of various Hub Communities and to start a conversation on the cross-cutting topic of mental health and health system strengthening. The Communities include key stakeholders across the fields of academia, clinical practice, civil society, and private sector in Germany and therefore hold a unique and multifaceted perspective on the Global Health landscape in Germany. https://www.globalhealthhub.de/fileadmin/user_upload/20230511_GHHG_Policy_Brief_Mental_Health.pdf

For the first time since the foundation of the Global Health Hub Germany in 2019, the members voted on an overarching and crosscutting topic for 2022: mental Health and well-being. By choosing this topic, Community members aimed for a deeper understanding of the relevance of mental health for the work of various Hub Communities and to start a conversation on the cross-cutting topic of mental health and health system strengthening. The Communities include key stakeholders across the fields of academia, clinical practice, civil society, and private sector in Germany and therefore hold a unique and multifaceted perspective on the Global Health landscape in Germany.