The mental health impacts of climate change on Zambian families and communities
by Mike Mwenda
Mike Mwenda is an environmental journalist and mental health advocate currently working with the non-profit organization REPSSI. He serves as the Head of Academics for the organization’s Social Business Development Unit and also works as the Communication officer.
Climate change is often viewed as an environmental problem, but its impacts go far beyond nature, it is a public health crisis with serious mental health consequences. In Southern Africa, countries like Zambia are already experiencing these effects, which threaten not only livelihoods but also psychological wellbeing.
Southern Africa is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. In Zambia, the 2018 and 2022 floods displaced thousands of families, destroyed homes, and disrupted essential services like schools and health facilities. While the physical destruction is clear, the mental toll is often overlooked. Families face trauma, stress, and anxiety as they cope with loss of property, livelihoods, and the uncertainty of rebuilding their lives.
Droughts also carry profound psychological effects. Zambia’s economy relies heavily on smallholder agriculture. When rains fail, staple crops like maize wither, livestock die, and food insecurity rises. Farmers and caregivers face constant stress over survival, which can lead to depression and chronic anxiety. Women and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as they bear the dual responsibility of caring for children and managing household survival.
Even beyond extreme events, subtle climate impacts affect mental health. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather disrupt daily routines and strain social cohesion. In urban areas like Lusaka, Livingstone and Copperbelt heatwaves worsen health conditions and increase irritability and stress. In rural communities, scarcity of water and dwindling natural resources promotes tension and anxiety within households, sometimes escalating to conflicts.
Furthermore, children and adolescents are especially at risk. Floods and droughts frequently disrupt schooling, creating feelings of uncertainty and helplessness. Young people often struggle with anxiety and diminished resilience, particularly in areas where mental health services are limited. Zambia’s lack of widespread mental health and psychosocial support compounds these challenges.
Therefore, addressing climate change as a public health issue requires integrated solutions. Climate-smart agriculture, including drought-resistant seeds and improved irrigation, can reduce stress for farming families by providing stability in unpredictable conditions.
Furthermore, urban planning and public health strategies can also mitigate mental health impacts. Developing green spaces, improving water systems, and implementing early-warning systems for extreme weather reduce physical and psychological stressors. Engaging communities in disaster preparedness promotes a sense of control, reducing anxiety in the face of climate uncertainty.
Lastly, climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a current reality affecting mental and physical health across Southern Africa. In Zambia, floods, droughts and heatwaves disrupt lives, livelihoods and minds. Tackling this crisis requires a holistic approach that integrates climate resilience with public and mental health interventions.