Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western Australia

Abstract

The climate crisis has detrimental impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Psychological effects include feelings of fear, overwhelm, worry, distress, hopelessness and anger; PTSD; depression; anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; sleep disturbances; attachment disorders; learning difficulties; substance abuse; shock and trauma symptoms; adjustment problems; behavioural problems; and, suicidal thinking. First Nations' children and young people are particularly at risk due to loss of place, identity, culture, land and customs informed by kinship relationships with the Earth; while sustainable land use practices and connection to Country and community can enhance climate resilience. In Western Australia (WA), some young people engage in climate activism – including striking from school – to demand government action to address the causes of climate change, including colonisation and capitalism. Climate activism can promote resilience, particularly when children and young people can emotionally engage in the climate crisis; when mental health is systemically supported; when climate communication is transparent and comprehensive; and, when activism is informed by the knowledges and wisdoms of First Nations peoples and grounded on Country. This article is co‐authored by WA young people, Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal academics, activists and practitioners engaged in youth, mental health and climate justice spaces. We argue for structural change to address the causes of the climate crisis, alongside enhanced evidence and approaches to appropriately support the mental health of children and young people. Furthermore, we support the call of Aboriginal peoples to ensure culturally appropriate, place‐based responses based in caring for Country.

Nature connectedness in the climate change context: Implications for climate action and mental health.

“…This interpretation is supported by Zawadzki et al’s (2020) findings that collective action had a much weaker association with subjective well-being, including warm glow. Moreover, collective action may have a stronger association with negative emotions, such as anger and powerlessness about widespread inaction on climate change and guilt about not doing enough (Godden et al, 2021; Pihkala, 2020). Another possible explanation relates to differences in identity; engaging in individual action is linked to a green personal identity (Whitmarsh & O’Neill, 2010), whereas engaging in collective action is linked to a social identity (e.g., as an “environmentalist”; Schmitt et al, 2019).…”

“…It is also possible that the ongoing lack of political responsiveness to climate activism in Australia, combined with COVID-19 restrictions on events such as climate rallies, strengthened the positive association between collective action and psychological distress observed in this study. We want to emphasize, however, that experiencing symptoms of distress does not preclude simultaneous benefits for well-being, such as meaning, belonging, and empowerment (Bamberg et al, 2018; Godden et al, 2021). An important next step for research in this area is to identify why and in what circumstances collective climate action strains well-being.…”

“…Second, meaning-focused coping, which involves finding hope and purpose in facing the problem and trusting others to develop solutions, has been linked to increased pro-environmental action and better mental health among young people (Ojala, 2012, 2013). One way to promote meaning-focused coping might be to provide safe spaces for people to connect and share their feelings about climate change (Godden et al, 2021; Ojala et al, 2021). Third, fostering collective thinking, for example, through social identification or collective efficacy, may reduce feelings of isolation and personal helplessness and support concerted action against climate change (Bamberg et al, 2018; Masson & Fritsche, 2021).…”

Psychological responses, mental health, and sense of agency for the dual challenges of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic in young people in the UK: an online survey study

“… 23 Opportunities for young people to take action in their communities, particularly with others, might also act as a mental health intervention, supporting wellbeing by increasing hope, agency, and control. 51 , 52 Decision makers need to consider youth voices and ensure that young people have opportunities to direct their concern into actions that demonstrably contribute to climate change mitigation. Arguably even more importantly, governments themselves need to take decisive action at national and international scales.…”

The clinical implications of climate change for mental health

“…For example, working with town planners can ensure that green space is incorporated into future residential developments 77 . Mental health professionals can also inform developmentally appropriate educational content for children and youth in schools and more broadly so that young people are supported in climate action 78 , which may, in turn, support their mental health. The fundamental principle is that the health harms of climate change are a concern and responsibility of all health professionals.…”