Abstract

There were several previous studies that discussed the relationship between climate crisis and mental health.Previous studies have already covered plenty of literature on climate crisis and mental health.The studies conducted to date mainly consider the direct, or the visible consequences, of climate degradation and the effects of a human being from a clinical psychology point of view, such as climate anxiety. However, it doesn't capture the full picture of the crisis. Qualitative work in this field is lacking, and needs to be done to a phenomenological and ethnographic approach to the challenges. This narrative review highlights the results of studies conducted around the world, in different geographical regions, focusing on the psychological impacts of climate change, and especially of climate change on indigenous wellbeing.They are known for their unique cultures and close association with their ancestral land by the indigenous communities. The literature was conducted in a number of recognized scientific databases, published from 2015 to 2025. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in further discussion. The paper included was about the psychological implications of the indigenous people due to the climate related issues. They have culture and cultural identity which is in close association with their land and their surrounding environment, therefore, the state of their land affects their culture, lifestyle and sense of belonging. As a result of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, the indigenous communities are increasingly being confronted with environmental problems that cause them psychological distress such as ecological grief, solastalgia, anxiety and identity crisis, which are all linked to their connection with their ancestral land. In addition to these material and economic losses, they are suffering intangible losses such as the loss of traditions, spiritual and emotional disaffection from the land, and loss of social cohesion and social ties within their community, due to the disruption of their ecosystem. This is because these vulnerabilities are not usually considered in mainstream environmental and psychological studies. Research and attention should be paid to those communities and regions that are less represented and are facing specific hardships, and the efforts they are employing to overcome these hardships at the local level. To conceptualise a more culturally relevant model, it is crucial to have a grasp of their traditional ecological knowledge and culture-specific barriers.

Keywords: indigenous people, climate change, psychological well-being, mental health