The physical effects of climate change, such as flooded roads, withered crops, and empty dams are often discussed. However, climate change’s impact on mental health, particularly for individuals already living on the margins of society, is not often highlighted. In a new study published in eBioMedicine, the team at the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute examined the effects of climate shocks, like droughts, heatwaves, and failed rains, on the mental health of women in rural Kenya. The evidence was striking. There is a clear, measurable link between extreme weather events and increased levels of depression and suicidal thoughts among women in Kilifi County, a region where most families depend on small-scale farming and are heavily reliant on the weather. Women living in informal settlements were particularly vulnerable. Compared to those from more stable rural households, they were significantly more likely to experience psychological distress after climate-related events. When rainfall was low for example, reports of suicidal thoughts rose by nearly 30 percent.