21 Jul 2025

The Impact of UK Summertime on Mental Health Issues

When summer arrives in the UK, many look forward to sunshine and leisurely days spent outside, but for some, the season can bring with it psychological challenges and a heightened sense of anxiety.

Looking at recent data below, we’ve been exploring whether warmer months influence mental health and psychiatric referrals, what that means for clients and services, and what small steps can be taken to support mental health during summertime.

Here’s what we uncovered...

 

Summer-Onset SAD And “Reverse SAD” Applies to Summertime Too

While seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is often linked to winter, around 10% of UK SAD cases occur in summer, with roughly 5% of the population affected overall according to Nuffield Health.

Likewise, Psychology Today note that the summer variant of SAD can trigger agitation, insomnia, anxiety, decreased appetite and even weight loss, with Very Well Mind listing that common triggers often include extended daylight disrupting circadian rhythms, heat, pollen, heightened social expectations and self‑image concerns.

 

Summer Heatwaves Lead to A Rise in Anxiety-Related Admissions

UKHSA data reveals a 10% rise in hospital admissions for mental health during heatwaves, and the 2022 heatwave in England and Wales in particular was linked to many more hospital stays for psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and suicidal behaviour.

Biologically, a probable cause of this could have been that extreme heat raises cortisol levels, disrupts melatonin and sleep, causes dehydration, and can even imitate panic attack symptoms, therefore intensifying anxiety, especially in socially anxious individuals.

What’s more, research from Mental Health UK shows that anxiety can increase by approximately 13% per heatwave intensity unit, particularly among rural youth, and Reddit users reflect that temperatures above 18 °C correlate with a 3.8% rise in suicide incidence and a 5% rise in violent suicide, while medication can hinder thermoregulation.

 

Life-Stage Transitions, Isolation and Summer Stress

When it comes to summer, disruption in routines and social ties are common for many, though risk factors for mental strain are often heightened in several key groups such as:

• University students, who when returning home for summer, may lose support networks and structure which can lead to increased loneliness and anxiety
• Parents juggling childcare during term breaks, who may experience elevated stress and financial pressure
• Older adults, particularly those living alone, who may already be experiencing reduced mobility or access to support, leading to increased isolation
• Teachers and education staff, who shift from a high-pressure school environment to sudden unstructured time off, which can create emotional disconnection or depressive symptoms
• Long-haul drivers, who whilst spending long hours alone in hot cabs, face impaired cognition, sleep difficulties and rising anxiety
• People living with pre-existing mental health conditions, whose symptoms can be exacerbated by heat, disrupted sleep or changes to medication effectiveness during hot weather
• Those working in public-facing roles such as emergency services, hospitality, or retail, who may face added pressure from heat, customer demand and extended hours during peak season
• Young carers, who may see their responsibilities increase during the summer break without school or respite support, leading to stress and burnout
• And outdoor workers such as those in construction, agriculture, or landscaping, who face prolonged exposure to heat, physical fatigue, and limited access to cool, restful environments – all factors which can contribute to exhaustion, dehydration, and psychological strain

 

How Climate Change Is Making Things Worse

The impact of climate change on public health is tangible, growing and deeply relevant to mental health outcomes in the UK, especially as the 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1997.

According to ClimateXChange, 2022 ranked among the hottest summers to date, though it’s also worth noting that climate anxiety itself is a growing phenomenon, as a UK-wide study by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in 2021 highlighted that over 70% of young people reported feeling worried about the climate crisis, with many experiencing feelings of helplessness, grief and fear about the future.

As weather patterns shift and summers grow hotter, this concern is likely to deepen, particularly in younger age groups already facing social and emotional pressures during the summer months, which means that in short, the worsening climate isn't just increasing temperatures - it's intensifying vulnerabilities too.

 

Raising Awareness Around Summertime Mental Health Cases

To respond to these seasonal impacts, there are a number of advisories recommended by Mental Health UK and UKHSA. These include:

• Educating clients about summer‑onset SAD and heat-related mental health risks
• Encouraging routines, cool sleep environments, hydration and limiting substances such as alcohol that impair thermoregulation

• Offering targeted support for vulnerable groups and those on psychiatric medication
• Supporting helplines to anticipate higher demand in summer months and heatwave periods

• Monitoring heat-health alerts between June–September and staffing accordingly
• Maintaining therapy delivery and community outreach
• Coordinating with campaign protocols such as “Beat the Heat” from UKHSA

• Advocating the use of cool packs, light clothing, fans, cool showers and seeking shaded spaces
• And encouraging nature exposure such as walking under shade to alleviate stress and improve focus

 

Psychological Support: Ongoing Throughout the Summer Months

Summertime in the UK brings more than just warmth, it introduces unique psychological stressors and challenged that deserve dedicated attention.

But, by incorporating season-aware strategies, service-level enhancements, and proactive outreach, it is possible for clients to thrive though the warmer months.

At Speed Medical, we’re here to help, offering access to psychological services, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which can support individuals in overcoming fear, frustration and stress, as well as managing the emotional effects of disrupted routines, isolation and the pressures that summer often brings.

As a result, addressing the mental and emotional impacts of summertime allows us to help our clients navigate heat-related challenges more fully, avoid the mental roadblocks that can stop them from enjoying the warmer months and ultimately, stop them from feeling themselves.

After all, it’s our duty to help, and we’ll be right there with our clients no matter how the season unfolds, providing support, insight and the clinical care needed to navigate the mental health challenges that don’t take a summer break.

 

If you’ve experienced a heat-related mental health case and would like to speak to our expert team, today visit www.speedmedical.com, contact us via email at info@speedmedical.com or call us directly on 0330 094 8749 to speak with an advisor right away.