Climate change and young people
The wide range of emotions and thoughts young people may experience when they hear bad news about the planet and the environment is called eco distress or climate anxiety. Common eco distress signs include low mood, helplessness, anger, losing sleep, panic and guilt. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, eco distress is not a diagnosis or mental illness – distress about the world is normal and shows that young people care about the planet – but sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming.
Dr Bernadka Dubicka, chair of the college’s Child and Adolescent Faculty, says: “The climate crisis is clearly affecting children and young people’s mental health. Younger generations are growing up with a constant backdrop of understandable fear and worry about the future of the planet. We need to be able to have open conversations and really listen to our young people. Empowering them to engage with constructive, positive action should absolutely be supported.”
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