Climate Change Threatens the Mental Well-being of Youths. Here’s How to Help Them Cope

A Growing Concern

We’ve all read the stories and seen the images: the life-threatening heat waves, the wildfires of unprecedented ferocity, the record-breaking storms washing away entire neighborhoods, the melting glaciers, the rising sea levels, the coastal flooding.

As California wildfires stretch into the colder months and hurricane survivors sort through the ruins left by floodwaters, let’s talk about an underreported victim of climate change: the emotional well-being of young people.

A Voice of Concern

Abby Rafeek, 14, is disquieted by the ravages of climate change, both near her home and far away. “It’s definitely affecting my life, because it’s causing stress thinking about the future and how, if we’re not addressing the problem now as a society, our planet is going to get worse,” says Abby, a high school student who lives in Gardena, California, a city of 58,000 about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

A Growing Body of Research

A nascent but growing body of research shows that a large proportion of adolescents and young adults, in the United States and abroad, feel anxious and worried about the impact of an unstable climate in their lives today and in the future.

A Pediatrician’s Concerns

Rammy Assaf, a pediatric emergency physician at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, has been studying the effects of climate change on children’s mental health. He administered a survey to over 800 kids ages 12-17 and their caregivers, asking questions about their concerns and feelings about climate change.

“The results show that climate change is a serious cause of concern for the emotional security and well-being of young people,” Assaf says. “When asked about their outlook for the future, the first words they will use are helpless, powerless, hopeless – these are very strong emotions.”

A Call to Action

Assaf believes that questions about climate change should be included in mental health screenings at pediatricians’ offices and in other settings where children get medical care. He also wants to see more research on the topic and more support for programs that help children cope with the stress and anxiety caused by climate change.

A Call to Parents and Caregivers

If you are a parent or caregiver whose children show signs of climate anxiety, you can help. According to Louise Chawla, professor emerita in the environmental design program at the University of Colorado-Boulder, the most important thing is to listen in an open-ended way. “Let there be space for kids to express their emotions. Just listen to them and let them know it’s safe to express these emotions,” Chawla says.

Other experts recommend family activities that reinforce a commitment to the environment, such as walking or biking, participating in cleanup or recycling efforts, and encouraging children to join activities and advocacy efforts sponsored by environmental, civic, or religious organizations.

Conclusion

Climate change is not just an environmental issue, but also a mental health issue. As we work to address the crisis, we must also prioritize the well-being of our children and young people. By listening to their concerns, supporting their efforts to make a difference, and providing them with the resources they need to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by climate change, we can help them build resilience and hope for a better future.

FAQs

* What is climate change anxiety?
Climate change anxiety is a growing concern among young people, characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and helplessness about the impact of climate change on their lives and the planet.
* How can parents and caregivers help?
Parents and caregivers can help by listening to their children’s concerns, supporting their efforts to make a difference, and providing them with resources and opportunities to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by climate change.
* What can be done to address climate change anxiety?
Experts recommend including questions about climate change in mental health screenings, providing support for programs that help children cope with the stress and anxiety caused by climate change, and encouraging children to get involved in environmental and civic activities.