Mental health pillar for climate resilience – expert
By Ludia Ngwadzai
CLIMATE change is having a devastating impact on the mental health of farmers in Zambia, with many struggling to cope with the psychological effects of droughts, crop failures and livestock losses, says Climate-Smart Agriculture expert Dr Oliver Kandela Bulaya.
In a statement Dr Bulaya said the country had recorded cases of farmers taking their own lives after failing to cope with climate-related shocks.
“During the 2024 El Niño-induced climate shocks, Zambia recorded distressing cases of farmers losing their lives through suicide after failing to cope with devastating effects,” he said.
He said mental health challenges in the country were increasingly sharply raising concerns over the well-being of the nation.
“Mental health challenges among farmers are rising sharply, yet support systems within the agricultural sector remain weak. This is a serious concern for all,” Dr Bulaya said.
Dr Bulaya called for urgent action to address the mental health issues affecting farmers, noting that the farmers’ mental well-being was as critical as providing climate-smart inputs, irrigation and markets.
He said there was an urgent need for agricultural extension officers to be equipped with basic mental health awareness and psychosocial support skills.
“This will enable them to identify distress early and refer affected farmers for professional help. Protecting farmers’ mental well-being is as critical as providing climate-smart inputs, irrigation, and markets,” he said.
Dr Bulaya called for a holistic approach to climate resilience.
He said climate resilience must protect both livelihoods and lives.
