Mental health should not be viewed solely as a passive outcome of climate adaptation. Rather, it serves as a key determinant of cognitive capacity and shapes the effectiveness of climate adaptation. Here we call for the integration of mental health into adaptation assessments and policy implementation.This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institutionAccess optionsAccess Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journalsGet Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription27,99 € / 30 dayscancel any timeLearn moreSubscribe to this journalReceive 12 print issues and online access269,00 € per yearonly 22,42 € per issueLearn moreBuy this articlePurchase on SpringerLinkInstant access to the full article PDF.39,95 €Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkoutFig. 1: Mental health burdens intersect with health, social and economic disparities and challenge climate adaptation.ReferencesUllah, A., Jakob, M., Bavorova, M. & Overland, I. Sci. Rep. 16, 5503 (2026).Article Google Scholar Heeren, A., Mouguiama-Daouda, C. & Contreras, A. Climatic Change 173, 15 (2022).Article Google Scholar Crandon, T. J., Scott, J. G., Charlson, F. J. & Thomas, H. J. Discov. Psychol. 4, 94 (2024).Article Google Scholar Hickman, C. et al. Lancet Planet. Health 5, e863–e873 (2021).Article Google Scholar Parker, G. et al. Int. Psychogeriatr. 28, 11–20 (2016).Article Google Scholar Weatherly, C. & Doherty, F. C. J. Rural Stud. 114, 103573 (2025).Article Google Scholar Siddik, M. A. B. et al. Climatic Change 178, 76 (2025).Article Google Scholar Galera, C. et al. Environ. Int. 204, 109799 (2025).Article Google Scholar Iqbal, S., Waqas, M., Yong, M. H., McGarrigle, R. & Vaportzis, E. PLoS ONE 20, e0318910 (2025).Article CAS Google Scholar Skelton, M. Climatic Change 162, 1535–1553 (2020).Article Google Scholar Torres, J. M. & Casey, J. A. BMC Publ. Health 17, 600 (2017).Article Google Scholar Pluess, M., Brown, F. L. & Panter-Brick, C. Nat. Rev. Psychol. 4, 370–387 (2025).Article Google Scholar Riethmuller, M. L., Dzidic, P. L., McEvoy, P. M. & Newnham, E. A. J. Rural Stud. 97, 591–600 (2023).Article Google Scholar O’Neill, S. & Nicholson-Cole, S. Sci. Commun. 30, 355–379 (2009).Article Google Scholar Ravazzoli, E., Lavarello-Schettini, R., Oberti, B. & Maino, F. Climatic Change 178, 225 (2025).Article Google Scholar Download referencesAcknowledgementsThis work was conducted as a part of the Social Cooperation Program on Transition to Sustainable System at the University of Tokyo.FundingThis work was financially supported by KUBOTA Corp. Japan and MEXT Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant no. 25K00045).Author informationAuthors and AffiliationsGraduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanYin Long, Ziyi Zhou, Yuya Kajikawa, Kimitaka Asatani, Ichiro Sakata & Yoshikuni YoshidaInstitute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanYuya Kajikawa & Ichiro SakataAuthorsYin LongView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarZiyi ZhouView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarYuya KajikawaView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarKimitaka AsataniView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarIchiro SakataView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarYoshikuni YoshidaView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarCorresponding authorsCorrespondence to Yin Long or Kimitaka Asatani.Ethics declarationsCompeting interestsThe authors declare no competing interests.Rights and permissionsReprints and permissionsAbout this article