Reciprocal Elder Peer Support Innovation to Lower Incidence of Mental Health Emergencies and Climate Change (Resilience)

Depression is common among older Nigerians. The disorder is associated with chronicity, disability and elevated risk of suicidality. Social, economic and occupational factors are associated with onset of these conditions in the population. In our nationally representative study of older Nigerians (ISA), depression incidence in subsistent farmers was 1.5 times higher than in the rest of the cohort (17.7% vs 12.1%). ISA participants living in rural Nigeria, with predominance of farming communities, had 1.3 and 2.5 times the risk of depression and suicidality. Extreme and unpredictable weather variability impacts negatively on farming, with consequent reduction in farmers' income. The resulting effect on economic wellbeing may lead to depression and suicidality in farmers. A program to build farmers' resilience through information sharing, peer support and increased preparedness will reduce the risk of depression and, through individual adaptation of farming practice, protect financial income.