By Shadrack Nyakoe
As the 29th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) kicked off on Monday 11, 2024, the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change (ACCRCC) appeals to the global communities to mainstream the intersection of climate change and mental health in climate finance discussions in Baku, Azerbaijan.
COP29, commenced on Monday 11-22 November. The mental health dimension of climate change is multifaceted, touching on issues such as anxiety about future climate impacts (often called “eco-anxiety”), trauma from extreme weather events, and mental health challenges linked to displacement, conflict for resources, economic stress, and loss of livelihoods.
“The nexus between climate change and mental health is becoming an increasingly critical issue at the vulnerable household level, given that the grassroot community is at the forefront of the negative impacts of climate change,” said Dr Rosalid Nkirote, Executive Advisor at the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change.
According to Dr Nkirote, various engagement with communities ahead of COP29 has demonstrated that as awareness of climate change grows, so does the feeling of helplessness, hopelessness and anxiety, particularly among youth and Indigenous communities who feel they bear the brunt of the crisis.
“We call upon global communities, especially policymakers in various governments to establish mental health support systems that address climate-related distress and equip mental health professionals with tools to recognize and manage eco-anxiety,” said Dr Nkirote.
Hannah Ndungu. Emergency Management Director, ADRA Africa Regional Office noted many funding agencies operate within traditional disciplinary boundaries, such as health or environmental science. “This makes it difficult for projects that cross these boundaries, like climate-health research, to fit neatly into available funding categories. Ensuring resource allocation beyond individual projects requires developing local and regional capacities,” she noted.
Various research has shown that extreme weather events, like hurricanes, floods, droughts and wildfires, cause not only physical displacement but psychological trauma. Prolonged exposure to these events can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
According to Henry Opondo, Advocacy Advisor noted that increasingly, it is being noticed that communities are forced to migrate due to rising sea levels, drought, or other climate impacts often experience depression, anxiety, and loss of cultural identity.
“Unfortunately, the mental aspects of climate change impacts are hardly addressed. Mental health needs of climate migrants is crucial, as well as ensuring that mental health services are part of humanitarian responses to climate-related migration,” he added.
He said nations could share strategies for trauma-informed care and resilience-building programs to support populations frequently exposed to climate disasters.
He noted that economic pressures from reduced agricultural productivity, water scarcity, and other climate impacts often lead to significant mental health issues, including depression and increased suicide rates, particularly in rural areas.
The ACCRCC calls upon policymakers at COP29 to discuss creating economic safety nets or job-training programs to reduce the financial strain on communities caused by climate change impacts.
At the COP29, the ACCRCC consortia will engage various policymakers, local governments, and community leaders to have the issue of mental health into Climate change and climate finance discussions. This will ensure that this nexus will receive priorities and align programme of work with real-world needs and that projects have the political and social support needed for long-term success.
Dr Nkirote said more interdisciplinary research is needed to quantify and understand the mental health impacts of climate change, as well as to develop effective interventions.
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She said sharing insights and creating international guidelines for mental health care tailored to the unique stressors of climate change can drive more effective national and global policies.
The ACCRCC stakeholders said discussions at COP29 should inspire policies and partnerships that target climate-related mental health issues at all levels to help mitigate the broader social impacts of climate change and promote resilience among vulnerable populations.