In Kenya Kilifi region, extreme weather is doing more than damaging crops and homes it’s devastating mental health, especially for women. A new study reveals how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and deepening droughts are triggering higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts among women in some of the country’s poorest households.
Conducted between 2010 and 2024 across Kaloleni and Rabai sub-counties, the study involved over 14,800 women. It found that those living in slum-like, informal rural household without basics like running water and toilets were hit hardest. Compared to women in better-equipped homes, they reported a 10.8% higher rate of depressive symptoms.
But the crisis runs deeper. The same group experienced a 48.3% increase in suicidal thoughts, driven by a combination of climate stress and economic hardship. Drought alone led to a 36.7% rise, while less rainfall pushed the number up by 28.7%, and heatwaves by 14.9%.
In these communities, women often shoulder the burden of feeding families, farming, and managing household finances. With food prices soaring and water becoming scarce, stress levels are rising fast. The emotional toll of daily survival is pushing many to the edge.
This research sheds light on an often-ignored consequence of climate change: its impact on mental health. And while Kenya has coordinated some response efforts, researchers say practical, ground-level mental health and support systems are missing. The recommendation? Combine food and water aid with counselling, mental health services, and community support networks especially targeted toward women.
Experts stress that unless governments treat mental health as an essential part of climate adaptation, communities won’t be able to recover or build resilience. As climate shocks grow more frequent and intense, caring for emotional well-being could prove just as crucial as rebuilding homes and restoring crops.