Climate Change: A Crisis Exacerbating Mental Health Struggles in the Country

Ahmed Bajoaim – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

In our present time, the world is facing unprecedented environmental and climate challenges that cast a shadow on various aspects of life, starting with ecosystems and global economies, to the mental health of individuals. Floods, droughts, storms, and fires are causing increasing feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression among members of society, especially with the loss of life and property and the displacement of residents from their homes.

Yemen, like other Arab countries, has been one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, which has exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni people, especially in terms of mental health. Many Yemeni regions and cities also suffer from disruptions in basic services, such as water and electricity, which exacerbate mental distress and raise the number of those suffering from mental health conditions.

This report will shed light on the psychological effects resulting from environmental and climate changes in Yemen while reviewing the challenges that exacerbate these effects as a result of the ongoing conflict, making environmental and climate impacts more severe and fierce. It will also offer solutions and recommendations to address existing challenges in a way that contributes to strengthening mental health in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Mental Health and its Connection to Climate

The World Health Organization, in a report published on its official website in June 2022, asked: “Why is mental health a priority for climate action?” It signaled that increasing climate change poses a growing threat to mental health worldwide, exacerbating the suffering of those with mental illnesses.

The report explained that climate change causes anxiety, depression, grief, and suicidal behavior. Environmental and climate impacts also exacerbate the suffering of those with mental illnesses and hinder their access to necessary treatment. According to the World Health Organization, over a billion people worldwide suffer from mental disorders, but in low-income countries, including Yemen, they do not receive the necessary mental health care they need.

According to the report, in 2021, the World Health Organization conducted a field survey in 95 countries, and it became clear that only 9 countries had included mental health and psychological support in their national plans. The report recommended several treatments to improve mental health quality, including integrating climate impacts into mental health programs, strengthening financial funding for mental health programs, and engaging health in climate action.

Many experts have conducted studies on the impact of climate change on mental health, and these studies have concluded that climate change and extreme environmental phenomena, such as floods, droughts, storms, and fires, cause many psychological problems.
In a previous interview with clinical psychologist Fatih Turkman, he confirmed that climate changes and environmental fluctuations cause anxiety in society and make them feel emotionally shaken. This results in more serious mental health problems. Some studies have shown that climate changes can exacerbate the symptoms of bipolar disorder and hypomanic depression, due to the severe mood swings experienced by patients with these disorders.
For her part, Ghadeer Tayra, the co-founder of Green Voices Network for Arab Youth focused on climate issues, explained that the occurrence of psychological trauma resulting from natural disasters is one of the most significant challenges facing mental health in Yemen. The country suffers from many natural disasters, such as cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and fires, which cause immense destruction, loss of life, mass displacement, and an exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
She also explained that natural disasters cause psychological shock to the victims, which can lead to strong mental and psychological disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. The victims of disasters feel stressed and insecure, which negatively affects their mental health.
Meanwhile, the director of the Yemeni Platform for Climate and Environmental Change, Zahir bin Shaikh Abu-Bakr, added: “Climate changes and natural disasters have a significant impact on mental and psychological health. They cause depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, behavioral disorders, and emotional outbursts. The continuation of such conditions leads to organic diseases, including kidney damage, heart problems, sleep disorders, health problems for pregnant women, and other complications.”

Absence of Basic Services

Ghadeer Tayra explained that the Yemeni people are suffering from a complex humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the ongoing conflict and climate change. In addition to that, they face another huge challenge, which is the absence of basic services, such as electricity, water, and sanitation. This has a strong organic impact before it is psychological, as a result of the spread of infectious diseases.
She added: “The absence of basic services leads to people feeling stressed and anxious, which negatively affects their mental health. Feeling helpless in providing basic needs can lead to frustration, depression, and a loss of security, which negatively affects mental health, which many members of the local community are suffering from.”
Zahir bin Shaikh reviewed the reasons for the absence of basic services, such as electricity, water, and sanitation in Yemen. He indicated that this is due to the deterioration of the infrastructure for these essential services as a result of the ongoing conflict, administrative weakness, lack of funding, and the instability of the security situation in many Yemeni areas. Climate change also leads to an increase in the scarcity of water resources and exacerbates sanitation problems that cause many diseases.
He stressed that the continued inability to obtain basic services, such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation services, leads to an increase in levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among segments of society. It also strengthens feelings of insecurity and frustration, especially in light of the difficult economic conditions that our country is experiencing and the inability to meet the basic needs of the family. These accumulated psychological pressures lead to an exacerbation of health and social conditions and increase the intensity of humanitarian crises in the country, particularly health-related ones.

Challenges and Difficulties

Ghadeer Tayra mentioned some challenges that developing countries, like Yemen, face when it comes to addressing climate and environmental changes and their impact on mental health. These challenges include a lack of public awareness about the risks posed by natural disasters and environmental changes, the impact on public and mental health, the lack of basic services, weak infrastructure, and a lack of or limited mental and social health centers.

Zahir bin Shaikh noted that these environmental challenges have significant effects on the mental health of the population. Stress, anxiety, and depression rates have increased due to instability and the loss of traditional livelihoods. Continuous displacement also increases feelings of isolation and psychological distress among individuals. Degrading climatic conditions create a sense of uncertainty and fear of the future, which further underscores the need for psychological and social interventions to support affected communities.

Recommendations and Suggestions

Regarding solutions and recommendations to mitigate the psychological impacts on citizens due to climate change, Ghadeer suggests that promoting public awareness is one of the most important steps to address the psychological effects of climate change. This includes collaboration between international environmental organizations, establishing awareness platforms, and involving civil society organizations in spreading awareness about the importance of taking necessary precautions to address climate change.

She also mentioned the importance of integrating mental health into school and university curricula to educate students on coping mechanisms for psychological stress and trauma. Enhancing awareness about not polluting the environment and reducing the use of pollution-causing substances are crucial steps in contributing to reducing climate-related disasters and mitigating their impact on individuals’ mental health.

Zahir bin Shaikh Abu-Bakr explained that three factors affect mental health as a result of climate change and environmental fluctuations: stress, depression, and burnout. Overcoming these factors requires solutions and recommendations.

He also highlighted the need for exercise, learning, writing about experiences, and engaging in negative thinking for a while to learn how to cope with problems. It is also necessary for concerned parties to work on improving the quality of basic services, which will reduce trauma and psychological distress in society.

Environmental degradation and the lack of basic services increase stress, anxiety, and depression among individuals, posing new challenges for humanitarian aid and development efforts in the country. It is essential to adopt comprehensive strategies that focus on improving environmental infrastructure and strengthening psychological support for affected communities. This requires collaborative efforts between government, international, and civil society organizations to achieve a secure and stable future for citizens in Yemen.