This week,  #IamAPHRC team has returned to Manyatta, @KisumuCountyKE , to share findings from the 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 (𝐖𝐄𝐌𝐀) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, which explores how extreme weather events, such as floods, impact mental health and well-being in vulnerable communities. Research doesn't end when data is collected. It creates the greatest impact when it is shared with the people who make it possible. By engaging community members to validate the findings, we are ensuring that the evidence reflects lived realities and helps shape locally relevant solutions. Because the people most affected by climate change must be part of shaping the solutions, and these solutions are built with communities, not just for them. #WEMAProject #ClimateAndHealth #MentalHealth #APHRCResearch @Moustapha_Tall1 @henry_owoko @AginaAg @Astrid @wellcometrust @CKyobutungi @amveyange @AHRI_News @RatemoJuliet

The Weather Events and Mental Health in Africa (WEMA) Project Consortium and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meeting was held from April 21-24. Partners shared insights and strengthened collaboration to generate rigorous, context-sensitive evidence on the mental health impacts of extreme weather events, including flooding, droughts, and extreme heat. The discussions highlighted the need to integrate scientific research, lived experiences, community perspectives, and policy engagement to achieve meaningful impact. Special thanks to the partners who attended: Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in South Africa, Centre de Recherche en Sante de Nouna (CRSN) in Burkina Faso, and Comite para a Saude in Mozambique, for their active participation and valuable contributions. We look forward to advancing the project to the next phase. #WEMAProject #ClimateAndHealth #MentalHealth #ResearchImpact #GlobalHealth

Our Executive Director, @joanes_atela joined partners from the @aphrc and @AHRI_News as a member of the Advisory Board for the #WEMAProject, funded by @wellcometrust , in a convening held yesterday. The conversation underscored the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping research that responds to Africa’s climate and health priorities. At @arin_africa , we remain committed to supporting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and evidence-informed action across the continent. #ClimateHealth #AfricaResearch #Collaboration

This week, the Weather Events and Mental Health in Africa (WEMA) Project is hosting a Consortium Meeting in Naivasha, Kenya. Partners from the African Population and Health Research Center (@aphrc ), Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), South Africa, Centre de Recherche en Sante de Nouna (CRSN), Burkina Faso, and Comite para a Saude, Mozambique will review progress on research into the mental health impacts of floods, droughts, and heatwaves. As climate extremes intensify, understanding their impact on mental health becomes increasingly urgent. Prof. Collins Iwuji (WEMA PI, AHRI) emphasized the importance of Africa-led collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and translating evidence into action through engagement with communities and policymakers. APHRC’s @agnes_kiragga highlighted ongoing work in Climate and Mental Health Research at the Center and the urgent need to address the intersection of climate change and mental health in Africa. @Wekesah presented findings from the completed systematic review, which noted strong links between extreme weather events and mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among vulnerable groups. Country teams presented their latest findings, sharing progress and emerging evidence from research conducted in their study sites. #WEMAProject #ClimateAndHealth #MentalHealth #GlobalHealth #EvidenceToPolicy @amveyange @CKyobutungi @DMdiarafa @RatemoJuliet @williamsila @MangwanaVJ @deborahndlovu @ndonyesarah @DorcasOdhiambo @Chris_Maero @dia_diama @ChristineGer22 @MangwanaVJ @Hope_shete @MuliDavis @DKadengye

Addressing climate change in cities must go hand in hand with protecting mental health. This week, #IAmAPHRC’s WEMA project team convened a stakeholder engagement meeting focused on translating evidence into action on climate-related risks and mental health in urban informal settings. Bringing together representatives from the Ministry of Health, Kenya; researchers; Nairobi and Kisumu County representatives; and community-based co-researchers, the workshop created space to engage deeply with emerging insights from the WEMA project. Discussions explored: 👉️ Climate–mental health pathways and how environmental stressors affect wellbeing 👉️ New data from prevalence surveys conducted highlighting mental health issues affecting the communities 👉️ Lived experiences from communities navigating compounding climate risks Beyond evidence sharing, the meeting also focused on identifying priority policy issues, co-developing intervention pathways to help address the issues. #WEMAProject #MentalHealth @amveyange @CKyobutungi @DMdiarafa @RatemoJuliet @williamsila @DorcasOdhiambo @MangwanaVJ @deborahndlovu @ndonyesarah @njerimbuthia @Chris_Maero @dia_diama @ChristineGer22 @MangwanaVJ @Hope_shete @MuliDavis @Wekesah @CharityWaweru @Waithaka_KE @isabelmutuku1 @Liz_Kimani @FlorahKarimi @cwkabiru @agnes_kiragga