Climate and Economy Push Europe’s Farmers to Mental Health Breaking Point

For eight months, we delved into the impacts of climate change on farmers' mental health in Greece, Spain, Romania, Czechia, and Poland, countries on the fringes of Europe that are facing heightened vulnerability to environmental shifts. Unlike their Western and Northern European counterparts, these countries are less equipped to handle the growing threats of climate change. As a result, farmers find themselves grappling with feelings of isolation and vulnerability, left with little to no support due to a lack of mental health infrastructure in rural areas and the migration that is emptying villages. Despite these difficulties, many farmers are finding ways to endure and build resilience in their communities. 

Photo: Farmers preparing the greenhouse for the next crop in Vaslui county, northeastern Romania (c) Cosmin Filisan