Invisible spores, visible strain: Indoor mold as a neglected determinant of mental health

Abstract

Indoor mold exposure is an underrecognized environmental determinant of mental health. While the respiratory impacts of mold have long been established, its subtle neuropsychological consequences are increasingly drawing attention. Evidence from Europe, North America, and emerging African studies indicates that chronic exposure to damp, mold-infested dwellings may elevate risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disturbance. These outcomes are often exacerbated by socioeconomic stressors and inadequate housing infrastructure, which are common in tropical and low-income settings. This short communication explores current evidence, underlying mechanisms, and illustrative global cases, including observations from humid African regions, to highlight the mental-health burden of mold exposure. Addressing the “invisible spores” that silently undermine psychological resilience demands an integrated housing, environmental, and mental-health response.