The Impacts of Climate Change on Mental Health of Tribal Communities in Jharkhand
Jharkhand, situated in eastern India was established in 2000 and emerged from the southern part of Bihar, marking the culmination of a protracted struggle led primarily by the Adivasis, or the indigenous communities and tribes in the state. Encompassing the Chota Nagpur plateau, present-day Jharkhand comprises 24 districts, 260 blocks, and 32,620 villages. Despite possessing over 40% of the country's mineral resources, the state grapples with a resource curse, with 39.1% of its population living below the poverty line, and 19.6% of children under five suffering from malnutrition. Additionally, stunting and anaemia are endemic across Jharkhand, as is Tuberculosis, a disease of malnutrition and food insecurity that preys especially on those who also exert themselves in hard physical labour.
Jharkhand also contends with socio-economic challenges, particularly concerning its 32 diverse tribal communities like the Santhals, Munda, and Oraons. Historically marginalised, these communities faced exploitation during British colonial rule and persisting economic hurdles post-independence. Until the recent past, the threat of violence from militant forces prevailed stifling developmental endeavours in the region. However, with a semblance of peace prevailing, there emerges a new narrative. It is foreseeable that the once densely forested landscapes of Jharkhand may undergo a transformation, transitioning into yet another agrarian region of India. With continuous population growth, communities have cleared lands for farming and sustenance. This evolution, however, comes at a cost, as extensive deforestation looms on the horizon to pave the way for agricultural expansion. At the same time, a unique system of land tenure obtains in much of tribal Jharkhand – land may be stewarded by individual families for agriculture and habitation, but it is not owned outright, nor can it be sold to outsiders. This means that most modern forms of capital aggregation are blocked for tribe members – they can never sell out their landholdings and use those funds for education, business investment or to buy an urban dwelling. Indirectly, this also means that they cannot adopt modern forms of life while continuing to live in tribal regions, and this is why we see high levels of youth migration out of Jharkhand, for both genders.
We also observe a certain loss of hope, and a loss of identity among many tribal groups. The loss of the forest, uncertain land tenure and uncertainty regarding how to be a modern tribal youth all contribute to this malaise, which manifests in the form of alcoholism, substance abuse and even gender-based violence.
Jharkhand's tribal regions find themselves increasingly grappling with the complex challenges brought on by climate change, evident in its pronounced impacts witnessed over recent years. The disruption of traditional weather patterns, characterised by erratic rainfall, has wreaked havoc on agriculture and has resulted in delayed crops and parched fields. The transformation of once fertile lands into dry and cracked terrains, with desolate paddy fields echoes the struggle.
As drier and hotter summers persist, heat stress and the constant threat of forest fires compound struggles of various communities, particularly indigenous groups, constituting nearly a third of the state's population. Tribal elders, sharing insights from their lived experiences, have in our interactions emphasised the urgency of adapting to climate change and treating the soil with care in preparation for the next cropping cycle. Their proposed solutions involve revisiting traditional and organic methods for creating fertilisers and pesticides, in stark contrast to the detrimental effects of sulphur-heavy alternatives that leave the soil hardened and less fertile.
In conversation with the community, elders elucidated that beyond the immediate causes of climate-related mortality, such as heatwaves, forest fires, floods, and landslides, there are deeper, systemic sources of risks unfolding gradually, impacting both livelihoods and nutrition. In a state where almost 29% of the land is covered by forests, local inhabitants heavily rely on the sale of non-timber forest products. However, we heard that efforts to procure produce during the dry spells have significantly increased and the portions of produce sold has reduced over the past years. The dwindling availability of resources poses a significant threat to forest-dependent livelihoods.
Insufficient rainfall not only affects agriculture but also the availability of fish from local streams, a crucial source of nutrition and household water for these communities. Harsher, drier summers have led to the drying up of streams and handpumps, exacerbating water scarcity. Water sources in villages and forests are becoming scarcer, with drying dobhas (small ponds) and increased illnesses adding to the challenges. Additionally, the disappearance of nutritious traditional foods like madua (finger millet) and kulthi dal (horse gram) continue to further contribute to rising malnutrition.
Families have also reported having to purchase a kilogram of rice for Rs. 40 during times of scarcity, a significant increase from previous years, highlighting unsustainable conditions brought on by the impacts of climate change. The market prices exhibit high variability and volatility causing uncertainty. There is also resistance from the communities towards adapting their mental models to changing market dynamics. The mistrust in the market breeds generalised anxiety and further acts as a detriment to overall well-being. The situation reflects a complex interplay of environmental, economic, and health challenges, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
The Interlinkage between Climate Uncertainty, Rising Mental Stressors, Substance Abuse and Gender Based Violence
The state grapples with a complex interplay of environmental changes, social vulnerabilities, and economic challenges that combined have adverse impacts on the mental health of the communities. As heard anecdotally from an elderly lady during our visit, in order to cope with climate stressors and the pervasive loss of control results in aggravated anger and irritability escalating conflicts that lead to violence within households. Mahua or alcohol consumption is also rising, exacerbating the substance abuse for men.
These men, who are often conditioned to uphold traditional notions of masculinity, are increasingly struggling to reconcile the erosion of their gender roles and identities as providers and protectors under these volatile climate induced circumstances. Their discomfort around acknowledgement and expression of their emotions often manifests in anger leading to verbal and/or physical violence against women and girls. Conversely, women and girls who find themselves at the receiving end of such maladaptive coping, are seen to turn to passivity, self-imposed isolation, and non-communicative behaviours. This creates a vicious cycle of mental health stressors with dire intergenerational consequences.
Disproportionate Impact on Women’s Physical and Mental Health
There are also direct ramifications on women’s nutrition, physical and mental well being owing to climate stress. Due to heat and water scarcity induced crop failures, periods of food insecurity are said to be rising. This is leading to shrinking portion sizes and dietary diversity, with women reporting to eat after everyone else. Moreover, young married women elucidated how the extended periods of heat and strenuous labour, combined with the mental stressors of uncertainty are affecting their menstrual cycles, particularly for those who are anaemic. The combination of rising temperatures and the resulting mental strain was observed to lead to hormonal irregularities, intensifying discomfort, fatigue, weakness, and body aches. As one woman poignantly put it, “There is an unparalleled burden on women, we have to continue working in pain. Our husbands have migrated but we have to continue supporting the family here.” It is clearly evident that the physical discomfort experienced due to heat stress manifests into unattended strains on mental health.
Climate Induced Hopelessness, Out Migration and Loss of Identity
Lastly the volatile market dynamics due to fluctuating crop yields and prices are causing economic hardships and lack of opportunities in these tribal regions. The anxiety and stress of sustaining their families is necessitating more and more young people to migrate. However, a lack of awareness of their rights, heightens the risk of falling prey to human traffickers or becoming victims of exploitation and abuse. A high number of migrant households reported trafficking where the migrating members had to experience forced labour, bonded labour, debt bondage, wage withholding and exploitative working conditions. In our field discussions with the mahila mandal of the Munda tribe, we were told that “15-16 yr old boys and girls are sold. People are tricked and kids are sold.” This was stated by a community worker who herself was sold for 80,000/- when she was in ninth grade. Furthermore, displacement is separating these people from their community support networks, leaving them more isolated with a loss of identity, which manifests in the form of alcoholism, substance abuse and even gender-based violence. It is vital to recognise that these public health interventions need to be grounded in and foreground mental health of these communities.
At the grassroots level, elders, particularly within farming communities, serve as invaluable guides, leveraging their experience to observe changes in soil quality induced by climate change. They were able to observe the changes in soil quality due to climate change and address these challenges, guiding farmers on appropriate soil treatment methods, such as sulphur application to treat soil hardening.
Despite this guidance, visible enabling factors are scarce. A prevalent and alarming trend surfaces, reflecting a sense of resignation among community members who accept climate change as an inevitable force. This acceptance fosters palpable hopelessness and a lack of proactive support, with many struggling to envision alternative ways of living beyond their traditional mental models and lifestyles. These challenges intensify the strain on daily lives, family relations, and economic well-being. Communities are seen to display a discernible resignation as concrete solutions remain elusive.
It is imperative to recognize that this pervasive lack of hope and identity should be viewed as a mental health challenge in itself. As we strive to address the climate-related challenges, focusing on mental health, and restoring hope and resilience within these communities becomes paramount. Thus, initiatives that prioritise mental well-being, foster support networks, and promote adaptive coping strategies are essential to building community resilience.
The changing state in Jharkhand highlights the incremental challenges communities face in adapting to climate change. While members may be vying to adjust to this 'new normal', it sends a critical message: what may seem like the new normal is, in reality, a precursor to deteriorating conditions in the future.
A discernible gap exists in access to government schemes promoting climate-resilient livelihoods for indigenous communities. Establishing connections with government welfare and entitlement schemes like the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (Agriculture and Irrigation scheme) could provide crucial support for communities, especially those dependent on agriculture, to adapt to climate change. Additionally, linking with entrepreneurial schemes empowering women, such as MUDRA Yojana (Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd. scheme) and Stand Up India, could contribute to economic opportunities and female entrepreneurship, fostering financial independence within the evolving climate context. This approach could offer a holistic strategy to equip communities in tackling climate change induced challenges by making them decision makers. Supporting state climate action plans and helping in executing them well through community ownership of the solutions at the last mile is also an opportunity for meaningful impact.
In many dimensions of the development sector, what happens in South Asia comes to be replicated in other regions of the Emerging Economy World. This insight is applicable to similar communities, thus stressing the urgency for proactive and adaptive measures to confront the gradual but escalating impacts of climate change.
For the Community
In the face of the multifaceted and deeply rooted challenges posed by climate change to communities in Jharkhand, a call to action becomes imperative. Fortunately, low-hanging solutions can be implemented to mitigate these concerns.
Communities should receive tailored psychosocial support as part of climate-focused interventions. This includes counselling to address the emotional and psychological impact of climate-related stressors, along with equipping them with skills and strategies to navigate future challenges. Mental health interventions are crucial for building active and adaptive coping mechanisms to manage climate-induced stressors effectively.
We propose a three-pronged approach to tackle these complex issues – i. Scenario Building and Actionable Strategies Catering to Health Challenges ii. Building Community Awareness and Collaboration Platforms iii. Complementing our efforts by leveraging government schemes for supporting communities with Climate-Adaptive Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment.
We also propose the development of immediate action strategies to alleviate the disproportionate burden that women face in the face of climate change. This could include but not be limited to – i. Catering to Preventive Behaviours; ii. Recognizing and Managing Symptoms - understanding heat-related symptoms, shifting menstrual cycles, and how to address them; iii. Assisting and Caring for someone experiencing Climate Induced Symptoms; iv. Immediate Escalation Strategies according to symptom seriousness; v. Awareness of the nearest Medical Facilities.
Additionally, we propose leveraging collective support groups to provide emotional and tangible support for women who are left behind and overburdened, dealing with stress and anxiety. These support groups could enable emotional expression and talk therapy, along with tangible support like childcare, food, and financial risk pooling to provide sustained support structures and coping strategies. We propose to guide women in identifying and unpacking self-limiting beliefs and traumas that hinder personal growth or mental resilience. Through interactive activities and self-reflection, participants can recognize key thoughts holding them back, with a reference scale identifying severe cases needing expert intervention. Visual emotional aids can help them explore and acknowledge their emotions while tracing the origins of beliefs aids in focusing efforts for change. Reflecting on behaviours and responses, they categorise coping mechanisms and learn self-regulation techniques. Lastly, co-creating and testing different kinds of visualisation, conceptualization, and interactional exercises, can be attempted in guided small group sessions. These exercises would draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and use gamified approaches with tailored actionable healthy coping mechanisms. Some of these could include art therapy, expressive writing, guided meditation, mindfulness exercises, somatic experiencing and more. This should be modified for contextual nuances.
Finally, we will establish links between individuals and trained buddies/sakhis who can provide support and intervention in high-risk situations. Collaborative sessions with frontline workers will also help recognize mental health symptoms and reinforce support systems, ensuring individuals receive the necessary assistance and emotional support.
For future research and policy
On the systems side, we perceive that scenario-building must be the foundation of climate defense. The development of scenarios of vulnerability can build upon existing mappings of climate risk, but it would necessarily integrate climatological information with economic, social, and human knowledge to envision how different kinds of risk can laminate, overlay and compound one another. A diverse panel of experts with different kinds of disciplinary expertise would be required to converge diverse areas of human knowledge, ranging from the climatological to the medical to the veterinarian and zoonotic sciences, to economic and social systems including conflict and migration. By converging these areas of knowledge around the likely consequences of climate vectors on human wellbeing, thrival and survival, we can build more and more sophisticated conceptual models around climate and its impact on mental health. In the dystopian climate future as well as a current need, we require an expert system or series of panels to offer direction as well as a dynamic network of public and private institutional responses to meet their immediate and long-term needs.
We also strongly advocate for acknowledging the correlation between climate-related stressors, increased mental health conditions, and gender-based violence, an area that currently lacks sufficient research and recognition. It is crucial to prioritize this aspect and focus on implementing strategies and generating evidence to address it effectively. Additionally, there is a pressing need to expand the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of community-led interventions and their impact on mental health. While much of the current mental health research and interventions center around clinical providers, in the context of climate-induced challenges, community-led approaches may offer greater scalability and effectiveness.
Moreover, the insufficient exploration of the impact of micronutrient deficiencies on mood and mental health from a cultural lens, that is whose dietary diversity is impacted due to climate change, is concerning. Addressing this issue is essential, given the significant impact of climate change not only on mental health but also on nutrition. Bringing this discussion to the forefront and emphasising the biomedical elements involved are crucial steps in addressing these challenges effectively.
Once this evidence is generated, it becomes imperative to prioritise early interventions for community members, particularly women, adolescents, and elders. Identifying and scaling up innovative models is essential to effectively address the mental health challenges exacerbated by climate change.
Note: many of these case studies are based on qualitative research and anecdotal evidence.
Vihara Innovation Network has been working on the impact of Climate Change and Human Health since 2020, when it planned and organised a convening on this topic that was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. It has a long track record of working in Global Health from a community-centred lens, an approach that it also plans to bring to the intersection of biospheric conservation and community well-being. It has developed different kinds of partnerships in different regions of the world, including with CHIZD and MAMPU based in Indonesia, and with Busara and CGIAR based in Kenya, with whom it plans to pursue the proposed action research and intervention design work in different regions of the world.
Vihara Innovation Network
