A lecturer from the Department of Psychology at the University of Lagos, Dr Chima Okoro, says climate change contributes to the rise of psychological trauma in the country.

Speaking on the topic ‘Climate Change and Trauma: Metal Health Challenges in a Rapidly Changing World’ at the 2025 Trauma International Community of Practice organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday, February 18-19, 2025, Okoro noted that studies had shown that increasing temperature affects behaviour, leads to malnourishment and it is associated with increasing suicide.

He explained, “An Australian study suggests that heat waves are associated with an increase in the rate of admissions of mental disorders. It has also been associated with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and even dementia.

“As we know, extreme heat can lead to physical as well as psychological exhaustion. So that is the relationship between climate and that behaviour and trauma because all these are psychological dispositions that are not comfortable.”

The President of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Bishop Timothy Banwo, described trauma as a barrier to scriptural engagement, noting that the society was determined to tackle all obstacles that hinder Nigerians from engaging with the Bible.

“Trauma, we have identified trauma as one of the barriers to meaningful scriptural engagement. So, according to the story of the sower in Matthew chapter 13, we can say that trauma is a thorn that chokes the word of God.

And you know that story, and there is a particular place that says, and some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them,” he stated.

He said the ongoing economic challenges, alongside insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, have heightened the prevalence of trauma among Nigerians.

“A lot of people are no longer in their communities. Some live in IDP camps, especially in the northern part of the country. We have people for ransom, we have sexual abuse, we have ritual killings, we have an economic crisis, which has impoverished people, and a lot of people are going through a lot of stuff,” he enunciated.

According to the psychologist, climate anxiety refers to persistent worry or fear about the future of the planet and the impact of climate change.

He added, “It can manifest as feelings of helplessness and distress over environmental degradation and its consequences. The psychological implications of climate anxiety, there are many, but I will list a few just for us to have an idea of.

“Increased stress and anxiety. The existential stress caused by climate change and the uncertainty of future conditions is a source of increased stress and anxiety. For instance, depression.

“Deep worry about environmental issues can contribute to feelings of sadness and depression, especially for those who feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. We also have fear and anger. This can arise again due to perceived sympathy to or contribution to the cause of climate change.”

One of the keynote speakers at the event, the Chaplain of Chapel of Christ Our Light, the University of Lagos, Rev. (Dr) Azuka Ogbolumani, noted that uncertainty in the world would continue to increase until Jesus Christ returns.

He asserted, “We know that trauma affects the body and mind. People also respond to trauma in different and diverse ways. Whether negative or positive.

“Many factors could be responsible for this, including the environment, culture, and background exposures.”

Also, the Chief Medical Director of Amazing Healthcare Specialist Hospital, Dr (Mrs) Yetunde Fasakin, who is a psychiatrist, stated that many were going through a lot of depressive issues that they were not able to tell anybody about.

“I see daily; you see people cry; people will come, good people will come to you and say, ‘I don’t have families. These are internal traumas, not to talk globally,” she counselled.

“So, if we are going to heal from what we have been talking about, we start from our individual families. Let us sit down; if we have conflict in our extended family, let us all be the first person to break the chain,” she added.

According to Dr Fasakin, global conflicts have devastating impacts on personal and collective health, necessitating urgent action and collaboration for healing.

She added that understanding those effects was crucial to creating effective recovery strategies.

The BSN started the trauma healing project in 2016 in collaboration with the American Bible Society to help Nigerians overcome their trauma challenges.

According to the Manager of Distributions and Programmes, Mrs Grace Benjamin, BSN, the society has been able to reach over three million people through its in-person and radio trauma healing programmes.

“Our cluster strategy provides mentorship opportunities to our trained facilitators to organise effective healing groups. Hybrid Audio Trauma healing on the radio—apart from playing the recorded Audio TH, our facilitators are live at the studio to take calls from the audience,” he added.