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Across East Africa, communities are increasingly facing the combined pressures of climate change, economic uncertainty and health challenges. In Kenya, the WEMA study is helping to better understand how these pressures affect people’s everyday lives, particularly their mental health and wellbeing.
A recent feature on Ramogi TV highlighted the importance of this work, focusing on research being led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) in Nairobi. The discussion brought attention to growing concerns around mental health in the region, including conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
While mental health is often spoken about in general terms, the WEMA study is helping to place people’s real experiences at the centre of the conversation. This is especially important in communities where extreme weather events, displacement, loss of livelihoods and other social pressures can have a lasting impact on emotional wellbeing.
The Ramogi TV discussion also highlighted the need for stronger mental health data. Without good evidence, it becomes difficult for policymakers and health systems to understand the scale of the challenge or respond in ways that are practical and meaningful. Through research, community engagement and evidence generation, APHRC’s work in Kenya is contributing to a clearer picture of how mental health is being shaped by wider environmental and social conditions.
For the WEMA study, this work is not only about numbers or statistics. It is also about listening to lived experiences and understanding how people make sense of the challenges they face. By bringing together research evidence and community voices, the study aims to support more informed decision-making and help shape policies that are responsive to people’s realities.
As climate change continues to affect communities across the region, the need to understand its wider health impacts becomes even more urgent. The work being done in Kenya through WEMA is an important step towards recognising mental health as part of the climate and health conversation.
Through this research, WEMA continues to contribute to a growing body of evidence that can support better awareness, stronger policies and more people-centred responses to climate-related health challenges.
