Eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviour: A systematic literature review

Introduction Although there have been assumptions about the link between eco-emotions and suicidality, there is currently no systematic evidence. Therefore, the aim of this review is to systematically examine empirical literature analysing the link between eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviours, both fatal and non-fatal. Methods The review protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO [CRD42022352379] and the PRISMA checklist was followed. Searches were conducted in six electronic databases (Scopus (Elsevier), Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL and Embase) for peer-reviewed English language literature published from 1 January 2000 until 16 September 2023. Screening of titles, abstracts and full texts was conducted independently by two reviewers and any discrepancies were resolved in consultation with a senior researcher. The Johanna Briggs Institute’s quality appraisal tools were used for quality assessment. Results Search results revealed 559 records. After removal of duplicates, 424 articles were screened. After title and abstract screening, 28 articles were included for full text screening. Only one paper satisfied the inclusion criteria. A cross-sectional online knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) survey among practicing mental health professionals across the State of Minnesota analysed the impact of climate change on their work and clients. Although the study did not specifically focus on suicidality, it reported that 22% of practicing mental health professionals had seen evidence of suicidal ideation or attempts in their clients as an outcome of climate change. Conclusion There is a lack of research on the association between eco-emotions and suicidality. Considering advancing climate change research, our review emphasizes an urgent need to conduct high level research to analyse the association between eco-emotions and suicidality and consider its potential implications. What is already known on this topic? There’s a recognized and growing concern about the impact of climate change on mental health, particularly the emergence of eco-emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and solastalgia. While studies have linked higher temperatures and natural disasters to suicidality, research specifically examining the association between eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviours is lacking. What this study adds? This systematic literature review revealed a stark scarcity of research connecting eco-emotions with suicidal ideation and behaviours. Only one paper met the inclusion criteria of the review. This scarcity underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive studies exploring the potential connection between eco-emotions and suicidality at an individual level. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy? The limited findings from this review highlight the pressing need for more in-depth research to determine and understand the association between eco-emotions and suicidal ideation and behaviours. It emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary research for a multi-faceted approach addressing mental health impacts of climate change and its underlying causes, calling for informed engagement, mental health support, and policy actions to mitigate eco-grief and anxiety related to climate change impacts. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement None ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript