Mental health impacts are emerging as a significant yet often overlooked consequence of climate change. From extreme weather events and displacement to chronic environmental stressors, climate-related hazards can contribute to anxiety, depression, trauma and broader psychosocial challenges, particularly for populations facing heightened vulnerabilities.

Developed by the UNEP Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) Canadian Insurance Industry Task Force, the Mental Health Integration Guide: A Tool for Insurers provides a practical framework to help insurers understand and address the links between climate change, mental health and social resilience. Organised around the four stages of disaster risk management—mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery—the guide outlines actionable considerations for underwriting, product development, claims management, customer engagement and community outreach.

Designed for insurers across life, health and property & casualty lines, the guide explores how mental health considerations can be integrated into risk assessment, operational preparedness, customer support and resilience-building efforts. It also highlights opportunities for insurers, in their role as risk managers, risk carriers and investors, to contribute to stronger community resilience and improved customer outcomes in the face of a changing climate.

The guide builds on the Task Force’s 2023 position paper, Closing the protection gap in Canada: A social sustainability framework for the Canadian life and health insurance industry, which sought to raise awareness of the links between climate change adaptation, insurance—particularly life and health insurance—and social inequities, while encouraging greater industry action in these areas.