Adolescents have not been well served by responses to the pandemic and the climate crisis

Abstract

Tackling climate change and the pandemic are necessary to regain their trust

Invest in youth led efforts for gender equality and pandemic preparedness

“…The pandemic, along with the intensifying climate crisis, has also exacerbated mental health conditions, especially among young people. 8 9 Globally, one in seven adolescents experiences a mental health condition (around 80% of whom are in LMICs). 4 The latest World Mental Health Report indicated a 25% increase in global rates of anxiety and depression in the first year of the pandemic, with further evidence confirming a higher prevalence and increased risk among youth, especially girls, those with disabilities, those living in emergency and conflict affected settings, and indigenous, sexual, and ethnic minorities.…”

Improving adolescent wellbeing is an urgent global priority

“…Articles in the collection explore the effects of covid-19 and climate change on adolescent wellbeing 6 7 and reflect on the need to develop indicators for measuring wellbeing, 8 providing impetus for a monitoring framework to help hold the global community to account and track progress. There are also powerful perspectives on the lack of attention paid to ensuring that adolescents and young people are involved in the development of policies and programmes that affect them and signalling the important role of youth leaders, youth networks, academics, and their institutions in developing integrated policies and programmes that take into consideration social determinants of health, financial stability, and diversity.…”