Konat Issouf from Goni village in rural western Burkina Faso lost everything twice 100 of his crops in 2022, then his home, millet and all his livestock when a river burst its banks at 2am in 2023. He sold two cows to feed his six children and says he became so stressed he was talking alone sometimes like a foolish man.
While one study in the country has shown extreme temperatures can increase the risk of premature death from noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions and certain psychiatric conditions, there is no data to show how climate change is affecting the nations mental health.
Living in the aftermath of a 2022 military coup, coupled with a changing climate and psychological services that can only handle severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia, most are left to figure out how to cope on their own.
Intodays newsletter, Mia Malanand Tanya Pampalone tells us more about the links between floods, crops and farmers mental health.
The N14 between Ouagadougou and Koudougou is busy, especially at the outskirts of Burkina Fasos capital. Heading westwards between Koudougou and Ddougou the road becomes eerily quiet, and beyond Ddougou in the direction of Nouna and the Malian border it is empty, save for the occasional striding farmer, a hoe over each shoulder with handles crossing over the chest.
The shadow of three separate massacres in 2022, at Bourasso 22 killed, Namissiguima 12 killed and Nouna at least 28 killed, still lies over the area, and although the situation has improved there are ongoing attacks: a farmer killed on the road just yesterday, according to guide Kiawara Serges Telesphore, who advises that it would be sensible to remain in the central parts of the Boucle de Mouhoun region, of which Ddougou is the capital. To work here we need permission from the provinces high commissioner. It is a public holiday, however, and government offices are shut. After making a series of phone calls, Telesphore beams.
