{
  "id": 12056706,
  "title": "The mental scars of climate disasters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/the-mental-scars-of-climate-disasters",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-05T02:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Bhekisisa",
    "slug": "bhekisisa",
    "url": "https://bhekisisa.org/bhekisisa-tv/health-beat/2026-10-05-the-mental-scars-of-climate-disasters/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Flooding is responsible for a quarter of all mental disorders among those studied by researchers in a four-country African project known as Weather Events and Mental Health in Africa (WEMA). In the Mozambican city of Beira, survivors of Cyclone Idai in 2019 still suffer from the trauma of the disaster years later, with rain, flooding, and the threat of more storms evoking fear and painful memories. Research on the mental health impacts of flooding in four African nations revealed higher rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress among those who have endured floods. The researchers emphasize that timely support is crucial after a flood, recommending that community health workers receive training to identify individuals who may require counseling.\n\nAdditionally, extreme heat exacerbates sleep difficulties, particularly for those residing in informal homes in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. UCT researchers discovered that living in substandard housing makes it challenging to achieve restful sleep during scorching temperatures. Simple interventions such as painting rooftops can significantly reduce indoor temperatures by up to 7°C, and installing ceilings and solar fans also proves effective. The health newsletter highlights the often-overlooked health consequences of severe weather events, urging readers to subscribe for further updates on this important issue.",
  "summary": "COP31 is just over a month away, and protecting people from flooding and other weather disasters is high on the agenda. Health Beat looks at how weather affects our state of mind — and why it matters. The post The mental scars of climate disasters appeared first on Bhekisisa .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}