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Temperature and Mental Health: Evidence from Helpline Calls

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  • Benedikt Janzen

Abstract

This study examines the short-term effects of ambient temperature on mental health using data on nearly half a million helpline calls in Germany. Leveraging location-based routing of helpline calls and random day-to-day weather fluctuations, I find an adverse effect of temperature extremes on mental health as revealed by an increase in the demand for telephone counseling services. On days with an average temperature above 25°C (77°F) and below 0°C (32°F), helpline call volume is 3.7% and 2.3% higher, respectively, than on days with moderate temperatures. Mechanism analysis, where I examine temperature-related changes in conversation topics, reveals suggestive evidence of adverse effects of cold temperatures on social well-being and of hot temperatures on emotional and psychological well-being. More broadly, the findings of this work contribute to our understanding of how changing climatic conditions might affect population mental health in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedikt Janzen, 2025. "Temperature and Mental Health: Evidence from Helpline Calls," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 12(6), pages 1431-1457.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/736751
    DOI: 10.1086/736751
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