Climate change impacts and mental health in poor urban coastal communities in Ghana

Coastal communities in African countries with lower carbon emissions face greater climate challenges but lack the capacity to address these challenges. The implication is that these communities suffer more from the impacts that climate change brings. Despite sustained research efforts into climate impacts on such communities, the mental health aspects of these impacts are often overlooked. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of climate-related mental health challenges and community coping mechanisms within three poor urban coastal communities in Ghana, West Africa. Fifty-seven community members participated in the study. Data were collected through five focus group discussions and fifteen one-on-one in-depth interviews. Thematic Network Analysis was used to analyse the data. Results showed that rising sea levels have caused loss of livelihoods and properties, which in turn have exacerbated mental health challenges within the communities. Community members’ coping mechanisms include the use of techno-managerial interventions, relocation, spirituality, and social support. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on climate change and its multifaceted consequences, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and mental health challenges in coastal landscapes.