The urgency of climate change poses an unprecedented threat to human health and survival. It is the responsibility of all healthcare professionals to advocate for action at all levels to mitigate climate change. Mental health professionals, in particular, have a duty to educate individuals about the mental health impacts of climate change and the psychology behind climate change denial.

Sustainable care in mental health aims to achieve the following:

Prevention and Resilience: Promote mental well-being, build social connections, and foster individual, social, and community resilience to prevent mental illness.

Empowerment: Empower patients, staff, and caregivers to actively manage their mental health and participate in decision-making processes.

Elimination of Waste: Identify and eliminate wasteful activities to streamline mental health services, reducing unnecessary resource consumption.
Low-Carbon Alternatives: Embrace low-carbon alternatives in mental health practices to minimize the environmental impact of care provision.

Examples of sustainable practices include reducing over-medication, adopting a recovery-oriented approach, utilizing the therapeutic benefits of natural settings, and nurturing support networks. By implementing such approaches, we can improve patient care while simultaneously reducing economic and environmental costs.

Additionally, offering remote appointments enables accessibility for all individuals, reducing the environmental footprint associated with travel and transportation.

Ensuring the sustainability and growth of the mental health sector is crucial for enhancing support for individuals with mental health problems. This involves improving the contracting and commissioning of mental health services, addressing workforce recruitment and retention challenges, and recognizing the vital role of the voluntary and community sector in health and social care service provision.

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