Growing impact of extreme weather events on mental health
Source: Chronicle News Service / Nongmaithem Debarani

Imphal, November 14 2024: In May-June this year, cyclone Remal struck the eastern coasts of the country, leaving behind widespread devastation.

The storm caused significant damage in north-eastern states, resulting in casualties, flooding, and landslides.

In Manipur, continuous rainfall triggered severe flooding in the valley, as several rivers breached their banks.

While the region is accustomed to cyclones in the Bay of Bengal bringing heavy rain, climate scientists and meteorologists agree that the extent of damage caused by cyclone Remal is unprecedented.

Dr RK Lenin, former head of RIMS Department of Psychiatry, explained that extreme weather events like this induce significant stress, particularly for individuals who have invested their savings in homes or businesses.

The loss of livelihoods, combined with the uncertainty of rebuilding, intensifies feelings of sadness, fear, and depression.

He highlighted that stress from such events, including floods and heat waves, often leads to mental health issues.

In Manipur, the growing unpredictability of the weather - along with sudden downpours and frequent flooding - has Worsened the situation, leading to property damage and agricultural losses.

"Earlier, we could forecast when the rain would arrive, but now it's become unpredictable," he says, noting that encroachments and poor drainage systems have made flash floods more common.

This year alone, back-to-back floods have been unprecedented in the state.

Manipur, heavily reliant on the monsoon season for agriculture, has faced serious challenges.

Erratic rainfall patterns and pest infestations have led to losses in crops, significantly affecting farmers' incomes and their mental well-being.

Additionally, rising temperatures have contributed to an increase in vector-borne diseases.

People's quality of life is increasingly impacted by these environmental changes, with the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses particularly vulnerable.

For example, a senior citizen struggling to access bathroom in his/her own home would face even greater difficulty while living in a makeshift shelter or tent, pointed out Dr Lenin.

One such resident from Khabam Mayai Leikai, 30-year-old Abe (name changed), who is expecting her first child in January, shared her harrowing experience.

"Although the rain lasted for hours, we never expected the river to overflow," she recalled.

"By the time we heard that it was happening, it was already late in the evening.

We had no choice but to take refuge at a neighbour's house.

When the river finally breached its banks in the middle of the night, the neighbour's house was almost completely submerged by morning.

We had to wait until the rain stopped and recession of the water level to leave the inundated house in a JCB excavator the next day" .

Abe described how this traumatic event continues to affect her.

"I have never been through anything so distressing.

I was anxious for my family and my unborn child.

Although I should stay calm and prepare for my baby's arrival, I am still terrified of the unpredictable weather.

I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, thinking the floodwaters have come back," she confessed.

Dr Lenin further emphasised that physical and mental health are closely linked, with rising temperatures causing discomfort and irritability, which, in turn, strains interpersonal relationships.

While no direct link between climate change and suicide rates has been corroborated, there has been a marked increase in psychological distress.

The hailstorm that struck the state in early May this year is another example of a climate-related disaster.

Many people whose homes were damaged sought counselling for anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders as they struggled with the loss of shelter.

While the number of patients visiting psychiatric clinics has risen over the years, it is unclear whether this is due to an increase in climate-related events or a greater awareness of mental health issues.

However, the mental health impact of such events is often underreported, especially when patients present with other issues, he remarked.

Dr Lenin stressed the need for further research to better understand the connection between climate change and mental health.

He notes that "eco-anxiety", or anxiety about environmental degradation, is becoming more prevalent.

The state's mental health infrastructure, however, is woefully inadequate, with too few psychiatrists available to serve the population.

Manipur has only 33 psychiatrists to serve over 3 million people, thereby necessitating more trained professionals.

Efforts should be made to decentralise mental health services, with community-based interventions involving teachers, nurses, and other local workers trained to screen for mental health conditions.

Dr Lenin also advocated for integrating mental health into general healthcare policy.

He notes the positive shift in public perception, as the stigma surrounding mental illness in Manipur has decreased significantly in recent years.

However, the lack of resources remains a major issue.

"Mental health is a mirror of society," he explained.

"High rates of mental illness and suicide reflect societal distress.

Yet, there is always hope.

Challenges, whether in the past, present, or future, are part of life.

We must be prepared to face them, because as long as the planet exists, so will we" .

For those struggling with mental health issues, Dr Lenin advised that when daily functioning - such as sleep, work, or relationships - is significantly affected, it is time to seek help.

He suggested practices like yoga, deep breathing, and gratitude exercises to help maintain mental well-being.

With timely intervention, mental health conditions can be effectively managed, improving both individual and societal resilience.

In conclusion, while Manipur faces increasingly severe climate events, the mental health impact of these disasters cannot be ignored.

With improved infrastructure, more research, and a more integrated approach to healthcare, the state can better support those affected by both the physical and mental toll of climate change.

As Dr Lenin puts it, "We must remain resilient and hopeful, no matter the challenges we face" .

(The report is filed under the 5th Media Fellowship Programme on Climate Change Reporting under the sponsorship of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur) .

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