World Mental Health Day: How Climate Change has Contributed to the 15 million Mentally sick Ugandans!

World Mental Health Day was initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health and was first celebrated in 1992. As we celebrate this day here in Uganda, I don’t have to remind you that about 15 million Ugandans (see here too) are currently struggling with some form of mental illness, with more than 1.5 million suffering a severe form of mental illness. This is a huge number. In our earlier article on suicide, we already found that more than 230 suicide attempts happen yearly, with some going through with it. Sadly, victims of mental illnesses are young people of 18-35 years.

Globally, more than 1 billion people have a mental disorder, with 80% of them in low-income and middle-income countries, Uganda inclusive! What is the 80% of 1 billion? It is 800,000,000. What! Well, this issue is serious!

As you try to let that in, here is another surprise: Did you know a significant number of mental illnesses are due to climate change? In this brief article, I will explore how climate change is seriously contributing to the increasing cases of mental illnesses, especially among youth and adolescents in Uganda.

Climate Change & Mental Health: The source for anxiety!

Uganda has been experiencing a range of climate-related challenges, including extreme weather events such as floods, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. These environmental changes have far-reaching implications, particularly for rural communities that rely heavily on agriculture. As crops fail and livestock perish, many families face food insecurity, loss of income, and displacement. The stress and anxiety associated with these hardships contribute to the rise of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, below is how climate change disasters lead to mental health issues:

1. Displacement and Loss of Livelihoods

Climate-induced displacement is a growing issue in Uganda. Floods, particularly in low-lying areas like the Lake Victoria Basin, have forced thousands of people to leave their homes. For instance, the 2020 floods in Kasese District displaced over 100,000 people, leaving many with limited access to necessities like shelter, food, and healthcare. Some lives were lost as well. The psychological trauma of losing one’s relatives and home, coupled with uncertainty about the future, can lead to significant emotional distress.

When one is forced to migrate from their homes to other areas due to floods, earthquakes, and landslides, life is never the same. Climate-induced migrations have many other implications, including shortage of basic resources, explore to trauma and violence, broken social ties, and a lot of uncertainties. Children and youth whose lives have never settled in their original communities for long can suffer any forms of mental illnesses, from basic stress and anxieties to long-term and severe anxieties.

A 2021 study on the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on children in one of Uganda’s most climate-vulnerable districts, Bududa, revealed that most adolescents were worried about ‘not going back to school’, loneliness, and other uncertainties.

Moreover, Uganda’s predominantly agrarian society is deeply impacted by changes in weather patterns. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), around 70% of Ugandans depend on agriculture for their livelihood . Climate change has caused erratic rainfall, leading to prolonged droughts in regions like Karamoja and Teso. Farmers in these areas have reported a decrease in crop yields by up to 40% due to climate-related stress . The loss of crops and livestock translates to food insecurity, which in turn exacerbates feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression among affected populations.

Do you understand the level of stress associated with not being sure if you will have a meal tomorrow or tonight?

2. Heat Stress and Mental Well-Being

Climate Change can directly impact our mental health as well. The rising temperatures in Uganda, which are projected to increase by up to 2.5°C by 2050, have also been linked to mental health challenges. Studies have shown that high temperatures contribute to an increase in aggressive behavior, irritability, and even suicidal tendencies. A 2021 study published in the journal Nature Communications found that for every 1°C increase in temperature, there was a 2.1% increase in suicide rates in low-income countries like Uganda.

In brief, climate change affects our mental health directly through climate-related disasters and indirectly by exacerbating existing health issues or making it hard to access quality care. Below is a summarized list of the mechanisms through which we get affected:

1. Trauma and Stress: Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts cause physical displacement and loss of property, leading to trauma and chronic stress. People who are displaced are more likely to suffer from PTSD and depression.
2. Economic Loss and Poverty: Climate change is undermining livelihoods, particularly in the agriculture sector. The resulting economic hardship drives food insecurity and poverty, which are known risk factors for mental health disorders.
3. Social Disruption: Climate-related disasters disrupt social support networks, which are critical for mental resilience. People who are displaced or lose their community connections are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
4. Physical Health and Mental Health Connection: Climate change can exacerbate physical health problems, such as malnutrition or heat-related illnesses, which in turn affect mental health. The physical toll of climate-related diseases, coupled with inadequate healthcare access, creates a vicious cycle of declining mental well-being.

Do you see what I and Miklah Life are seeing? Let’s get deeper!

Addressing Climate Change-Driven Mental Health Issues in Uganda

Given the intertwined nature of climate change and mental health, addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that combines both environmental and mental health interventions.

1. Strengthening Mental Health Services

Uganda needs to increase investment in mental health infrastructure and personnel to address the rising mental health burden. This includes training more mental health professionals, especially in rural and climate-vulnerable areas, and integrating mental health services into primary healthcare facilities. Remember, Uganda still has prominent stigmatization of mental illnesses and superstitious beliefs regarding these challenges. As such, our mental health services have not been that good!

2. Building Climate Resilience

To mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change, it is crucial to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities. This can be achieved by investing in climate-smart agriculture, which helps farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce the risk of crop failure. Additionally, providing financial safety nets, such as crop insurance and social protection programs, can alleviate the economic stress caused by climate shocks.

Wait! Could Miklah’s ShareLand Uganda, an agriculture program that connects farmers to land be of help? Check it out here.

3. Community-Based Mental Health Support

Community support networks are essential in helping individuals cope with mental health challenges. Programs that foster community cohesion, such as group therapy, peer counseling, and trauma-informed care, can provide much-needed psychological support for people affected by climate change. In Uganda’s context, this is usually possible through friends, families, and peers. How best can avail social support to those who are mentally ill? Think about it!

4. Public Awareness and Education

Raising awareness about the link between climate change and mental health is essential to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage people to seek help. Public education campaigns can also promote the adoption of coping strategies, such as mindfulness, stress management techniques, and seeking professional support when needed. At Miklah, we are championing climate-health education among health professionals. We hope we will empower health workers who will also empower their patients in all walks of life.

5. Integrating Mental Health into Climate Policy

Uganda already released her climate-health adaptation plan. Mental health must be part of what the plan is about. This is a good step. Policymakers should recognize mental health as a critical aspect of climate adaptation strategies. Uganda’s National Climate Change Policy and disaster risk management frameworks should incorporate mental health considerations, ensuring that psychological support is available in disaster-affected areas and that climate adaptation programs include mental health components. Of course, as always, the challenge is ‘acting the plan’

Conclusion

Climate change is not only an environmental crisis but also a mental health crisis in Uganda. The growing frequency of extreme weather events, loss of livelihoods, and social disruption are driving a rise in mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that combines strengthening mental health services, building climate resilience, fostering community support, and raising awareness.

The question is; where is your input? What are you doing about it? Are you addressing climate change? Are you educating the masses about mental illnesses? Do you care to refer those affected to places where they can find help? Would you be interested in starting a company addressing any of the mental health issues or climate change? Talk to us! Thank you.