The effect of weather on unscheduled healthcare utilisation for mental health conditions in England, 2014–2022
By
Richard Elson
Julii Brainard
Natalia R. Jones
Alex J. Elliot
Iain R. Lake
June 30, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Impact of Meteorological Factors on Unplanned Mental Health Service Use in England from 2014 to 2022
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Mental health-related healthcare utilisation Key Mechanisms Associations with temperature and sunshine exposure Target Population General population in England, with a focus on older adults Care Setting National Health Service (NHS) in England
Key Highlights
Increased unscheduled mental health contacts associated with higher temperatures up to 18 °C. Healthcare utilisation rises on days with fewer hours of sunshine. Rainfall showed little consistent effect on mental health service use. U-shaped relationship observed between temperature and ED attendances in adults over 64 years. Overall variations in healthcare demand were modest, typically within ±10–20% of baseline levels. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Monitoring & Follow-up
Risks
Patient & Prescribing Data
General population experiencing mental distress
Healthcare contacts reflect symptom burden and help-seeking behavior.
Clinical Best Practices
Consider environmental factors when planning mental health services. Monitor weather conditions as potential influences on mental health service demand. Related Resources & Content
