Heatwaves, heavy rain, and intense winter storms have affected people’s mental health in 2026.
A new study reveals that even slight, short-term weather changes can be significant enough to prompt individuals to seek therapy.
Variations in temperature and sunlight are linked to UK residents accessing mental health services through the NHS, according to researchers in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
“Everyday weather conditions impact mental health and influence when and how people seek help, not just during extreme weather events like heatwaves,” stated lead researcher Richard Elson, a research fellow at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England.
The study analyzed over 4.6 million mental health interactions in England from 2014 to 2022, including emergency department visits, out-of-hours GP appointments, and NHS 111 calls.
The researchers compared call numbers with weather data from the same period, discovering an increase in demand as temperatures reached around 18°C and on days with reduced sunlight.
NHS 111 calls were associated with self-harm, alcohol intoxication, or sleep issues, while out-of-hours GP appointments involved anxiety, depression, self-harm, or sleep disorders. A&E reported more cases of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and alcohol intoxication.
Interestingly, rainfall did not consistently affect mental health calls, indicating that specific weather patterns have more influence on mental health than general conditions, the researchers noted.
Illustrative photo: pexels-marek-piwnicki-3907296-8738464
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