Associations of heat exposure with mental health and suicide in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

TL;DR

Exposure to high temperatures is linked to increased risks of mental health issues and suicide in children and adolescents, highlighting the need for early interventions and climate adaptation policies.

Contribution

This study systematically reviews and quantifies the association between heat exposure and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents.

Findings

High temperature exposure is associated with increased hospital visits for mental health disorders.

Each 1°C temperature increase correlates with a 1.0% higher risk of suicide in children and adolescents.

Abstract

Limited evidence exists on the association between high temperature and mental health in younger age group. We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus and PsycInfo and reviewed studies that explore the associations of heat exposure with mental health and suicide among children and adolescents ( ≤24 years). Twenty-eight observational studies published over 2007-2025 were included for systematic review. Exposure to high temperature was associated with 13% (95% confidence intervals: 1.08 to 1.19; n = 720,512) higher risk of hospital visits or hospitalizations for mental health disorders, 14% (1.01 to 1.28; n = 529,654) higher risk for schizophrenia, 18% (1.03 to 1.34; n = 146,046) higher risk for depression, and 12% (1.06 to 1.18; n = 1,188,501) higher risk for composite mental health illnesses, relative to low temperature. Each 1 °C increment in temperature was associated with 1.0% (1.00 to 1.02; n = 30,749) higher risk of suicide. Findings suggest the need for early life interventions and evidence-based adaptation policies for preventing against climate-induced mental illnesses and suicide. Optimizing policies will be important for high- and upper-middle-income countries, while more scientific evidence from lower-income economies are warranted.

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