Populations in three East African countries are facing mental health challenges caused by climate change in vulnerable agricultural communities.

A study covering Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia revealed alarming connections between climate change-induced events and mental health outcomes in vulnerable agricultural communities.

“Agricultural communities in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable to climate disasters, including droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns,” said Pamela Kaithuru, the lead researcher for the project.

 The research reveals these climate-induced events exacerbate existing socioeconomic challenges, significantly affecting mental well-being.

“In Kenya, 87.4 per cent of respondents cited droughts as the largest mental health stressor, while 76.0 per cent pointed to floods,” she explained.

According to the research, in Uganda, 84.5 per cent reported droughts as a significant contributor to mental health issues while 72.8 per cent blamed mental health challenges on floods. In Ethiopia, 56.5 percent of the respondents identified drought while 52.8 percent mentioned floods as the lead contributor to major mental health challenges.

The persistent droughts from 2020 to 2022 have severely impacted agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and food security, intensifying stress, anxiety, and depression among affected populations. The study, spearheaded by the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change (ACCRCC), aims to shed light on the mental health impacts of climate shocks and offer policy recommendations to enhance resilience.

A new study by the South-South Exchange (SSE) conducted in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, has brought to light the devastating mental health impacts of climate change in agricultural communities.

With its focus on vulnerable populations heavily reliant on farming, the project uncovers the urgent need for integrating mental health into climate adaptation strategies.

The African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change (ACCRCC) is calling on policymakers, NGOs, and local organizations to prioritize mental health in climate adaptation plans.

By fostering collaboration, enhancing early warning systems, and empowering communities, Sub-Saharan Africa can build a future resilient to both the physical and psychological impacts of climate change.

“This research reinforces that mental health is a critical yet under-addressed aspect of climate adaptation. We must act now to protect the most vulnerable communities,” Kaithuru emphasized.

The SSE Research Project sought to understand the interplay between climate change-induced events and mental health, emphasizing a gender-responsive, inclusive approach.

The key objectives included raising awareness, fostering knowledge exchange across Sub-Saharan African countries, and providing policy recommendations to build resilience.

“These climate shocks have devastated agriculture the primary livelihood for over 50 per cent of households in the region intensifying mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress,” Kaithuru emphasized.