Tamil Nadu’s maternal mental health work sparks global disaster resilience debate
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12 June 2025
Tamil Nadu maternal mental health model gains global traction in disaster resilience planning
Image: Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan.
Between September 2024 and January 2025, maternal mental health and climate-linked outreach initiatives took place across Tamil Nadu, India, addressing the emotional toll of extreme weather on mothers and infants. These efforts are now gaining international attention. On May 21, 2025, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and march 25, 2025, The Harvard University’s Center for International Development (CID) spotlighted the region’s innovations as a global model for disaster resilience and health equity.
Local health workers, women’s groups, and state programmes in Tamil Nadu are addressing the silent toll that extreme heat, power outages, and pollution take on new mothers. These initiatives blend modern healthcare integration with traditional coping mechanisms, such as clay pot cooling, indigenous herbal remedies, and digital support networks.
“Women’s mental health is not a standalone issue. It sits at the nexus of resilience, climate response, and equitable development,” stated a UNDRR briefing. Reports show Tamil Nadu’s mothers face critical stressors during extreme climate events, ranging from disrupted sleep and diminished breastmilk supply to acute mental distress.
According to Dr Saravanan Thangarajan, a global health scholar affiliated with Harvard Medical School, “These aren’t just environmental statistics — they are lived realities.” In his CID blog, he documents interviews with mothers across the region, revealing that 82% report sleep loss, 72% note infant dehydration, and only 8% have access to mental health care.
UNDRR and CID analysts argue that integrating psychosocial support into climate adaptation strategies can reinforce public health, gender equity, and community resilience. Tamil Nadu’s innovations are increasingly seen as a scalable model for countries confronting the overlapping crises of climate change and public health disparities.
Tamil Nadu’s experience shows that maternal mental health extends beyond healthcare—it is essential for disaster resilience and the recovery of communities. By weaving mental health support into its disaster risk reduction efforts, the state provides a valuable example for other regions confronting climate and disaster-related challenges.
Disclosure
[edit]Note: Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan, the author of this article, conducted field research cited herein as part of a Harvard-affiliated study between September 2024 and January 2025. Original reporting notes are available for verification and have been shared with Wikinews reviewers.
Sources
[edit]
- UNDRR News Staff. Maternal resilience in Tamil Nadu offers lessons for disaster risk reduction <broken link> — United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, May 21, 2025
- Saravanan Thangarajan. Surviving the Heat: The Impact of Climate Change on Maternal and Infant Health in Tamil Nadu — Harvard Center for International Development, March 25, 2025
Category:Original reporting Category:India Category:Health Category:Women