Keep up to date with information about the environment either by talking to an adult or looking up a reliable website. But take care not to overload yourself with too much information.
Climate and mental health
Climate and Mental Health – a challenge for everyone
Eco Anxiety
Climate change poses a threat to all our futures and has particularly significant implications for the health and futures of children and young people, yet they have little power to limit its harm, making them vulnerable to increased climate anxiety. That anxiety has become known as eco-anxiety, and while there is no clear definition, it has been explained by the American Psychological Association as ‘a chronic fear of environmental doom.’
The impact on mental health
The impact of climate change on mental health is not widely acknowledged or discussed, but through its work in schools, colleges and universities, the Charlie Waller Trust is hearing increasing awareness, concern and anxiety created by the impact of climate change and the perceived lack of action by communities, businesses and governments.
Evidence is building about the impacts on mental health of heatwaves, wildfires, storms, and other climate-related disasters. There are predicted to be longer term impacts when communities and populations are displaced as a result of climate change.
Action to address climate change is by necessity a global undertaking involving significant change to how systems and economies function.
So how does this affect children and young people?
Our programme for schools provides evidence-based presentations and training sessions that motivate, build confidence, inform and offer practical ideas and tools that can easily be put into practice.
A recent survey of 10,000 young people aged 16-25 in 10 countries found that:
- 59 percent were very or extremely worried about climate change.
- Over 50 percent felt sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless and guilty.
- Nearly half (45 percent) said that climate change is affecting their daily lives – how they play, eat study and sleep.
Climate change has significant implications for the futures of children and young people, but they have little power to limit its harm, making them vulnerable to increased climate anxiety.
That anxiety is also associated with perceptions of inadequate action by adults and governments, leading to feelings of betrayal, abandonment and moral injury. Young people feel that they are not being listened to – their thoughts and feelings are not being respected or validated; and people in positions of power are not acting on their concerns.
At the Charlie Waller Trust we are embedding our Environmental policy and including climate knowledge throughout our charitable activity to to help children and young people feel more hopeful and to provide tools and support to prepare them for the times that lie ahead.
This advice is based on information given by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.