When the thermometer climbs at night, the body is not the only casualty — mental health suffers, too. According to Dr. Madeleine Thomson, whose insights are featured in Sky News, sleepless tropical nights are linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions.
Thomson’s research, accessible through her ResearchGate profile, underscores the indirect pathways between climate and mental health. Poor sleep quality, heat-induced stress, and heightened social tension all contribute to reduced well-being.
Her perspective as a leader at the Wellcome Trust places mental health alongside physical health in climate planning. She argues that support systems must expand to include counseling and community outreach during heatwaves.
Her academic career at Columbia University shows her commitment to integrating diverse health metrics into climate impact models. By connecting climate science to psychology, Thomson is helping broaden the global conversation on what resilience truly means.