Mental Health

The burden of poor mental health is one of our major global health challenges today, causing one-fifth of all disability-adjusted life years, and predicted to be considerably exacerbated by temperature increases. Despite this, while many studies have explored the physical health impacts of climate change, much less research has been carried out into the effects on mental health and wellbeing.

Several major bodies like the World Health Organisation have taken part in policy discussions that indicate an increasing recognition that sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) will be strongly affected. This is particularly true for women and children, who are already more likely to experience poor mental health. However, limited studies have explored the effects on these vulnerable groups.

Dr Benedict Weobong from the University of Ghana and Dr Seyi Soremekun from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine aim to address this gap in knowledge. They plan to:

i) characterise climate change/mental health research and identify evidence gaps for effects in women and children;

ii) quantitatively assess mental health impacts in SSA women and children using longitudinal mental health datasets linked with satellite and monitoring climate data; and

iii) conduct a case study of current system readiness in Ghana and opportunities for providing mental health support services in the context of climate change.