Brazil Moves to Establish National Mental Health Policy for Climate Disaster Victims

Brazil is advancing a notable legislative initiative aimed at addressing the mental health challenges brought on by climate-related disasters. Project Law 6151/25, spearheaded by deputies Pompeo de Mattos (PDT-RS) and Fernanda Melchionna (Psol-RS), seeks to establish a comprehensive national policy dedicated to mental health support for individuals affected by extreme environmental events such as floods, landslides, and droughts.

The project defines “climatic mental health” as a coordinated set of public policies designed to prevent, reduce, and treat emotional impacts tied to climate risks and disasters. It proposes integrating multiple sectors including health, social assistance, education, and civil defense to provide continuous psychosocial care. Special focus is placed on vulnerable groups—children, adolescents, the elderly, disabled individuals, impacted families, frontline professionals, and at-risk communities.

A key aspect of the legislation is the creation of the National System of Climatic Mental Health along with Resilience, Healing, and Community Reconstruction Centers. These centers would offer specialized emotional support and aid community rebuilding efforts, serving as reference hubs for local teams. The lawmakers highlight that Brazil faces increasingly frequent and severe climatic events but currently lacks a sustainable, specialized policy to mitigate their psychological toll.

On May 26, 2026, the Commission of National Integration and Regional Development of the Chamber of Deputies will hold a public hearing to discuss the bill's implementation details. Deputy Gilson Daniel (Pode-ES), who requested the hearing, stresses that such a policy is crucial not only for infrastructure recovery but also for addressing the profound mental health impacts disasters impose on affected populations.

The proposed law is progressing swiftly through several parliamentary committees, including Health and Finance, demonstrating the growing recognition of mental health as an integral part of Brazil’s climate resilience strategy. Legislators emphasize that emotional protection is inseparable from broader reconstruction efforts, marking a significant step towards comprehensive disaster response policies in the country.