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Climate Change and Mental Health Now Major Risk Priorities Safety National Survey

In today’s fast-changing world, new risks are challenging our safety, well-being, and mental peace. A recent Safety National survey reveals a surprising but urgent finding—climate change and mental health are now top concerns for employers and risk professionals across industries. What was once viewed as distant or secondary has now moved into the spotlight as a high-priority threat to individuals, organizations, and communities.

In this article, we will explore the key findings from the survey, understand why climate change and mental health are being seen as major risks, and discuss what organizations and individuals can do to prepare for and respond to these evolving challenges.

Climate Change and Mental Health: The New Frontline in Risk Management

The Safety National Risk Survey 2025 highlights a shift in the way professionals perceive risk. While traditional risks such as cyberattacks, natural disasters, and workplace injuries still matter, a growing number of respondents are pointing to climate change and mental health as emerging and critical safety risks.

These two issues are not just separate challenges. They are deeply interconnected.

Climate change is leading to more natural disasters, temperature extremes, and environmental instability—all of which put stress on individuals and communities.
At the same time, this rising instability contributes to poor mental health, anxiety, depression, and trauma—especially among vulnerable groups like children, frontline workers, and low-income populations.

As one respondent in the survey said, “You can’t have physical safety without mental safety anymore.”

Why Climate Change Is a Major Risk Priority

1. Rising Natural Disasters

From wildfires in Canada and California to hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and floods in Asia, climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity. These events destroy homes, disrupt jobs, and lead to the loss of lives. The Safety National survey found that over 65% of risk managers now list climate change as a “very serious threat” to organizational safety and continuity.

2. Economic and Operational Disruption

Climate risks aren’t just about nature—they hit economies hard. Damage to infrastructure, interruptions in supply chains, and loss of productivity due to heatwaves or floods all affect business operations. Risk professionals are being forced to rethink emergency preparedness and long-term strategies.

3. Regulatory and Legal Pressures

With more governments pushing for sustainability and environmental responsibility, organizations are now under pressure to report, act, and invest in green practices. Failing to do so isn’t just bad for the planet—it can lead to fines, lawsuits, and brand damage.

The Mental Health Crisis in the Workplace

1. Pandemic Aftershocks

Even after the peak of COVID-19, mental health remains fragile. Workers are still recovering from years of stress, uncertainty, isolation, and burnout. According to the survey, mental health ranks in the top three safety concerns for HR leaders and workplace safety officers.

2. Burnout and Stress

Today’s employees face longer working hours, hybrid models, fear of layoffs, and fast-changing roles. Add climate anxiety to the mix, and you get a perfect storm for anxiety, depression, and emotional fatigue. Burnout is no longer a rare issue—it’s a common workplace condition.

3. Safety Implications

Mental health doesn’t only affect emotional well-being—it impacts physical safety too. An unfocused or stressed worker is more likely to make mistakes, suffer injuries, or cause accidents. From a risk management point of view, mental wellness is essential for physical safety.

Key Findings from the Safety National Risk Survey

The 2025 Safety National Risk Survey involved over 1,000 professionals in risk management, insurance, occupational health, and safety roles. Here are some of the most important takeaways:

72% of respondents ranked climate change among their top five emerging safety risks.
68% reported that mental health is now a key part of their organization’s safety strategy.
Over 50% said they’ve seen a direct connection between employee well-being and job performance.
60% of companies have added or plan to add mental health support programs.
Environmental safety policies are being updated by 45% of surveyed firms in response to climate threats.

These stats show a clear change in thinking—organizations are no longer treating climate and mental health as external or HR-only issues. These are now seen as core risks that need leadership-level attention.

Interconnection Between Climate Change and Mental Health

1. Eco-Anxiety Is Real

Eco-anxiety—defined as chronic fear of environmental doom—is on the rise, especially among the youth. Studies show that 1 in 3 young adults feel helpless or extremely worried about the future of the planet. This can lead to depression, anger, and social withdrawal.

2. Post-Traumatic Stress from Disasters

Communities affected by floods, wildfires, or hurricanes often experience long-lasting PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes—it’s about rebuilding lives, minds, and a sense of safety.

3. Climate Migration and Social Stress

As climate change forces people to move—due to rising sea levels or drought—social and economic stress increases. New areas face the pressure of absorbing large populations. Mental health services often lag behind, making matters worse.

What Employers Can Do to Address These Risks

1. Create a Mental Health Action Plan

Employers must treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health. This includes:

Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Training managers to identify and respond to mental health issues.
Encouraging open discussions without stigma.
Providing resources like meditation, counseling, or flexible work arrangements.

2. Build Climate Resilience into Safety Protocols

Organizations must update their emergency response plans and climate policies to reflect the new reality. This means:

Assessing climate-related threats specific to their location.
Investing in green infrastructure and disaster recovery planning.
Partnering with local authorities and NGOs for coordinated response strategies.

3. Promote Environmental Awareness

Creating a culture of sustainability helps reduce both carbon footprints and climate anxiety. Employees feel empowered when they are part of the solution. Actions include:

Encouraging green commuting.
Reducing waste in the office.
Running awareness campaigns and volunteering programs.

The Role of Policy and Government Support

Governments also play a big role. The survey calls for stronger national policies that:

Fund mental health services at the community level.
Integrate climate awareness into education and healthcare.
Offer tax breaks or incentives for climate-smart business operations.

By supporting both mental health infrastructure and climate resilience, policymakers can create a safer, healthier society for everyone.

Moving Forward: A Holistic Approach to Safety

The key message from the Safety National survey is clear: safety is no longer just physical. Organizations must embrace a holistic view—where mental, environmental, and physical well-being are all connected.

By addressing climate change and mental health together, we can:

Build more resilient workplaces.
Reduce long-term costs of crisis response.
Improve productivity and retention.
Foster a stronger, healthier workforce.

This is not just a job for risk managers or HR leaders—it’s a call to action for business owners, governments, healthcare providers, and individuals.

Final Thoughts

The world is changing fast. Climate change is no longer a distant warning, and mental health is no longer a hidden issue. The Safety National survey reminds us that these are real, urgent risks that affect how we live, work, and plan for the future.

By recognizing the link between climate change and mental health, and by acting with intention and compassion, we can create a safer, more balanced world—not just for today, but for the generations to come.

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