# Rethinking professional boundaries: the climate crisis and brain health

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how climate change impacts brain health and argues for a new, holistic approach among mental health professionals.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a shift from focusing on mental health to brain health in response to the climate crisis.

## Key findings

- Climate change affects psychiatric and neurological disorders as well as brain development.
- A holistic, person-centred approach is needed to address the impact of climate change on brain health.
- Mental health professionals must adapt to better respond to the climate crisis.

## Abstract

Since climate change affects psychiatric, neurological and neuropsychological disorders, as well as brain development, the Irish Doctors for the Environment working group on mental health has changed its title and remit to brain health. Mental health professionals need to respond coherently and effectively to the climate crisis. This need challenges traditional professional, disciplinary and academic boundaries and demands a holistic, person-centred approach. We propose that meeting this challenge is vital if the public, policy-makers and legislators are to grasp the full extent of the significance of climate's impact on brain health.