Form of words:
- Experts at Imperial College London have warned that ‘eco-anxiety’ is on the rise in children.
- In a survey of 10 countries, more than 45% of youth said that their feelings about climate change “negatively affected their daily lives and functioning”.
- Experts say building optimism through credible information on climate adaptation efforts is one way to allay fear.
Photos of trees scorched by wildfires, houses flattened by storms and cars turned upside down by flash floods are very real – and more frequent – signs of the effects of climate change.
And they are affecting the mental health of youth.
Two experts from Imperial College London’s Ethnicity and Health Unit have warned that Eco-anxiety – “the chronic fear of environmental destruction” – growing up in children.
“The mental health impacts of the climate crisis have profound implications,” wrote Mala Rao and Richard Powell in a blog british medical journal.
“Ignoring the effects of increasing environmental-anxiety risks that increase health and social inequalities among people more or less vulnerable to these psychological effects. Socio-economic impacts – as yet hidden and unquantified – address the climate crisis.” would significantly increase the national costs of doing so.”
Whom does it affect?
Rao and Powell point to a number of studies that show how widespread eco-concern has become globally.
Nearly two-thirds of 10,000 children aged 16-25 in 10 countries were “Very or extremely concerned” about climate change In a study published in the Lancet in September, while 84% were at least marginally concerned.
More than half felt “sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless and guilty”, and more than 45% said their feelings about climate change “negatively affected their daily lives and functioning”.
The researchers wrote: “Climate change and inadequate government responses are associated with climate anxiety and distress in many children and young people globally. These psychological stressors are a threat to health and well-being, and can be viewed as morally harmful and unjust.” There is an urgent need to increase both research and government accountability.”
What are the symptoms of eco-anxiety?
In November 2020, the UK’s Royal College of Psychiatrists (RC Psych) found 57% of child and adolescent psychiatrists see children and youth as distressed about the climate crisis and environmental conditions.
RC Psych says that although echo-anxiety or eco-distress is not a diagnosis or mental illness, common signs to watch for include: low mood, helplessness, anger, lack of sleep, nervousness and guilt.
“Feeling distressed or anxious about the world is normal and shows that young people care about the planet, but sometimes dealing with these feelings can be overwhelming and difficult, especially at a young age,” it says.
Psychotherapist Carolyn Hickman takes eco-anxiety a step further »Healthy response to the situation we are facingBecause it shows awareness of the crisis. She says it can also be seen as ‘eco-empathetic’ or ‘eco-compassionate’.
What can parents and caregivers do to support young people?
rc psych website offers Resources for parents and caregivers to help children and young people manage their eco-anxiety And keep them from getting overwhelmed.
- Listening to children and young people and taking their feelings seriously.
- Convincing them that their feelings are understandable and a sign that they are a caring person.
- Spend time in nature as a family, such as sowing seeds or taking a walk.
- Working on your family’s carbon footprint and coming up with ways to reduce it.
- Supporting them to take action to feel more in control, more optimistic, and more resilient. This can connect you to groups of youth (either in your local area or online) who have similar concerns about the environment.
- Reminding your child or youngster that many people are working on solutions that will make the world happier, healthier and safer.
As Rao and Powell write: “The best chance to increase optimism and hope among environmentally concerned young and old is by ensuring they have access to the best and most reliable information on climate mitigation and adaptation.”
This article was originally published on the World Economic Forum (WEF). you can read it Here.
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