Routine changes in temperature and sunshine may influence demand for NHS mental health services, according to new research that suggests everyday weather – not just extreme events – can affect when people seek support.
Short-term changes in weather may have a greater impact on mental health service demand than previously recognised, according to a study led by the University of East Anglia (UEA). Researchers found that fluctuations in temperature and sunshine were associated with changes in the number of people seeking urgent mental health support through NHS 111, GP out-of-hours services and emergency departments across England. Rainfall, however, showed little consistent link.
The findings, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, are based on an analysis of more than 4.6 million mental health-related healthcare contacts between 2014 and 2022.
Sunshine and temperature linked to demand
Using weather data from the Met Office alongside national NHS surveillance data, the researchers examined how day-to-day weather conditions corresponded with demand for mental health services. Across all three healthcare settings, demand increased as temperatures rose to around 18°C. Fewer hours of sunshine showed the clearest association with increased use of services.
Lower sunshine levels were also linked to higher numbers of GP out-of-hours appointments and emergency department visits for anxiety and depression, although the researchers found no consistent overall relationship between sunshine and specific mental health conditions. Rainfall, meanwhile, was not consistently associated with mental health-related healthcare use.
The study also found that adults aged over 64 were more likely to attend emergency departments for mental health concerns during both colder and warmer weather.
Looking beyond extreme weather
Previous research has largely focused on the impact of heatwaves, floods and other extreme weather events on mental health. However, the researchers say their findings suggest routine weather conditions may also influence when people seek support.
Lead researcher Dr Richard Elson, from UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, said:
“One of the important findings from our research is that everyday weather conditions influence mental health and when and how people seek support, not just extreme weather such as heatwaves.
“Understanding factors that influence fluctuations in mental health-related healthcare demand is an important public health priority, and may help planning and preparedness efforts for mental health services under current and future climate conditions.”
More than 4.6 million healthcare contacts analysed
The research team, from UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich Medical School and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), analysed national surveillance data collected between January 2014 and December 2022.
The study examined mental health-related contacts with NHS 111, GP out-of-hours services and emergency departments, including presentations relating to anxiety, depression, self-harm, alcohol intoxication and sleep difficulties.
Researchers compared this with daily weather data, including average temperature, hours of sunshine and rainfall, to explore whether routine weather patterns were associated with changes in demand for urgent mental health support.
The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through the Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response and was published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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