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Review
. 2022 Feb;130(2):25001.
doi: 10.1289/EHP9889. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

The Interplay of Environmental Exposures and Mental Health: Setting an Agenda

Aaron Reuben  1 , Erika M Manczak  2 , Laura Y Cabrera  3 , Margarita Alegria  4   5 , Meghan L Bucher  6 , Emily C Freeman  7 , Gary W Miller  6 , Gina M Solomon  8   9 , Melissa J Perry  10
Affiliations
Review

The Interplay of Environmental Exposures and Mental Health: Setting an Agenda

Aaron Reuben et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Background: To date, health-effects research on environmental stressors has rarely focused on behavioral and mental health outcomes. That lack of research is beginning to change. Science and policy experts in the environmental and behavioral health sciences are coming together to explore converging evidence on the relationship-harmful or beneficial-between environmental factors and mental health.

Objectives: To organize evidence and catalyze new findings, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a workshop 2-3 February 2021 on the interplay of environmental exposures and mental health outcomes.

Methods: This commentary provides a nonsystematic, expert-guided conceptual review and interdisciplinary perspective on the convergence of environmental and mental health, drawing from hypotheses, findings, and research gaps presented and discussed at the workshop. Featured is an overview of what is known about the intersection of the environment and mental health, focusing on the effects of neurotoxic pollutants, threats related to climate change, and the importance of health promoting environments, such as urban green spaces.

Discussion: We describe what can be gained by bridging environmental and psychological research disciplines and present a synthesis of what is needed to advance interdisciplinary investigations. We also consider the implications of the current evidence for a) foundational knowledge of the etiology of mental health and illness, b) toxicant policy and regulation, c) definitions of climate adaptation and community resilience, d) interventions targeting marginalized communities, and e) the future of research training and funding. We include a call to action for environmental and mental health researchers, focusing on the environmental contributions to mental health to unlock primary prevention strategies at the population level and open equitable paths for preventing mental disorders and achieving optimal mental health for all. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9889.

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Figures

Figure 1 is an interconnected flowchart depicting how acute or chronic exposure to environmental hazards, including Neurotoxicants and other chemicals (lead, air pollution, etc.), Stressors (heat, humidity, drought, etc.), and Disasters leads to individual changes, including Biological responses to exposure (neuropathology, systemic inflammation, etc.) and Psychological responses to exposure (anxiety, depression, despair, etc.) and community changes, including Loss of resources, jobs, infrastructure; Loss of historical community, places, sacred sites; Disrupted social networks; and Dis-investment or displacement, which in turn lead to decline in mental health at the individual level and decline in mental health at the community level. It further shows how psycho-social stressors, including Adversity, interpersonal conflict, victimization Acute or chronic and Identity-based discrimination affect individual (personal) characteristics, leading to individual changes, including Material resources, Genetic vulnerability, Psychological resources, and Gender and cultural responsibilities. The figure shows how structural inequities or racism, including Redlining, Greenlining; Criminal justice, policing; Public and private investment; and Voting rights affect community characteristics, leading to community changes.
Figure 1.
Conceptual model of the association of environmental hazards with mental health outcomes at the individual and community level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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