Heatwaves Hit Mental Health Hard | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 13, 2026 · 1m

When the heat hits, it’s not just your body that suffers — your mind does too. A massive international study tracking millions of hospital visits over two decades reveals a stark link between extreme heatwaves and a surge in mental health crises, especially among older adults and rural residents. Prolonged heat disrupts sleep, strains the body, and amplifies conditions like anxiety and depression — even triggering psychotic episodes. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, ignoring their mental health toll could strain healthcare systems and communities. It’s time to treat extreme heat…