African Journal of Public Health and Health Systems | 14 January 2026
Climate Change, Displacement and Distress: An Original Investigation of Mental Health in Mozambique’s Coastal Communities
I, s, a, b, e, l, M, u, n, g, ó, i, ,, A, n, a, M, a, c, u, á, c, u, a, ,, C, a, r, l, o, s, N, h, a, n, t, u, m, b, o
Abstract
<strong>Background:</strong>
Climate change-induced displacement is a growing public health crisis in low-income coastal nations. Mozambique’s coastline is highly vulnerable to cyclones and sea-level rise, but the mental health consequences for displaced populations are not well understood.
<strong>Purpose and objectives:</strong>
This study investigated the prevalence and key determinants of psychological distress among individuals displaced by climate-related events in selected coastal communities of Mozambique.
<strong>Methodology:</strong>
A cross-sectional, mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected via structured interviews, including the Kessler-10 (K10) scale, from a randomly sampled 412 adults displaced between 2021 and 2025. Concurrently, 32 in-depth qualitative interviews explored lived experiences. Data collection occurred in six coastal districts across three provinces from March to August 2025.
<strong>Findings:</strong>
Quantitative analysis revealed a high prevalence of moderate to severe psychological distress, with 68% of participants scoring above the K10 clinical threshold. Qualitative data identified three predominant themes driving distress: profound grief over lost livelihoods and ancestral land, pervasive insecurity regarding future shelter, and weakened community support structures following displacement.
<strong>Conclusion:</strong>
Climate-related displacement in Mozambique is strongly associated with a significant mental health burden. The distress extends beyond the immediate shock of the event, encompassing ongoing stressors related to livelihood loss and an uncertain future.
<strong>Recommendations:</strong>
Integrate mental health and psychosocial support into national climate adaptation and disaster response frameworks. Develop community-led, culturally appropriate interventions that address both material insecurity and psychological trauma.
<strong>Key words:</strong>
climate change, displacement, mental health, psychological distress, Mozambique, coastal communities
<strong>Contribution statement:</strong>
This research provides the first district-level, mixed-methods evidence quantifying and contextualising the mental health impact of climate displacement in Mozambique between 2021 and 2025, informing urgent policy and intervention development.