Climate Change and Children’s Health: Mental Health

Via Climate Central
Via Climate Central
Worsened Mental Health Challenges
    • Mental health issues among young people in the last decade have worsened.
    • Climate-induced disasters like floods and wildfires increase children’s anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
    • Hotter days and pollution contribute to the mental health crisis, with more children at risk of cognitive and emotional struggles.
    • In a survey, nearly 43% of teen and young adult respondents reported that climate change had at least a moderate impact on their mental health.
Protecting Children
    • Parents and caregivers can support children and teens in coping with the psychological impacts of climate change by discussing the issue openly and offering stability after weather-related disasters.
Reducing Carbon Pollution
    • Rapid reductions in coal, oil, and methane gas emissions can immediately improve air quality and slow warming.
    • Cutting emissions now prevents the amplification of risks for future generations.
Building Climate Resilience
    • Initiatives like climate-resilient schools can reduce health risks, improve safety, and offer stability during climate-related challenges.
    CONSORTIUM CONTACT EXPERT

    Lisa Patel,MD, MESc, FAAP
    Executive Director, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
    Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatrician at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
    Relevant expertise: Children’s health and climate change
    Contact: lpatel9@stanford.edu