Extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods have been linked to rising levels of depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in slums and rural areas where access to clean water, food, and healthcare is limited.
The study was conducted by Cyprian Mostert, a psychologist and health economist affiliated with universities in Ireland, Pakistan, and Kenya. His research focused on women in the Kilifi region of Kenya, one of the country’s poorest coastal areas, which has faced recurrent climate shocks—including drought, heat, and flooding—between 2010 and 2024.
The study involved 14,801 female participants, split between those living in slums without basic services and those in rural areas with access to clean water. They answered questionnaires measuring the mental health impact of climate change—specifically symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation—while researchers cross-referenced this data with weather reports from the same period.
The findings were stark: heat waves were associated with a 14.9% increase in suicidal thoughts, droughts with a 36.7% increase, and declining rainfall with a 28.7% increase. When these climate factors were combined with rising food prices, suicidal thoughts rose by a concerning 48.3%. The cumulative burden of climate and economic hardship was most acute in slum communities.
Additionally, the study found that women in informal settlements experienced 10.8% more depressive symptoms than those in more stable rural settings. Mostert emphasized that environmental pressures often exacerbate existing economic and social stress, putting entire families at risk when women suffer from psychological distress.
Mostert called on governments and policymakers to recognize mental health as a critical component of climate resilience. He urged the integration of mental health services into climate adaptation strategies, stressing that addressing emotional well-being is vital for the stability of vulnerable families and communities, particularly in Africa.
