Reacción a "Exposure to cold and heat could affect adolescents' mental health"

In recent years climate change, previously considered primarily a risk factor for physical illness in vulnerable populations, has begun to be studied as a significant risk for mental health as well. This recent cohort study of adolescents in Spain and the Netherlands reveals that cumulative exposure to extreme temperatures (very high or very low) is associated with an increase in psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression and attention difficulties. 

Although the study is methodologically sound and focuses on a high-risk population such as adolescents, it has some important limitations. A key aspect is that the previous presence of mental health problems, which could significantly influence vulnerability to environmental events, depending on their type and severity, was not considered as a variable. In addition, the influence of genetic factors on susceptibility to certain psychiatric symptoms could play a crucial role. Adolescents with a higher genetic predisposition may manifest psychiatric symptoms more readily when exposed to environmental stress, making them an even more sensitive and priority group for preventive and early interventions. 

Despite these limitations, the findings are consistent with previous research in the general population, which has shown that exposure to extreme temperatures increases psychiatric hospital admissions, suicidal behaviour and mortality associated with mental disorders (Radua et al., 2024). 

There is an urgent need to design public policies and intervention strategies that protect adolescents from the mental health impacts of climate change. The study also highlights the importance of implementing psychological assessments and specific preventive measures to mitigate extreme environmental stress in this vulnerable population.