The Oregon Health Authority has issued a report claiming that “The mental health effects of climate change include those directly related to the physical and traumatic consequences of severe weather events, as well as anxiety, fear and distress associated with slower-moving stressors, perceptions and attempts to understand and respond appropriately to climate change and its implications.” In response to Governor Kate Brown's Executive Order 20-04, the OHA has also released a report describing the impact of Climate Change on Youth Mental Health.

According to this report, "As the effects of climate change grow, researchers and experts have become more concerned about how it will affect our mental health. Mental health impacts on youth are of particular concern as there is a growing youth mental health crisis in the United States.”

The Executive Summary of the Research is showing three main pathways climate change adversely affects our mental health:

• Increased extreme weather events and climate-related disasters
• Chronic climate stressors, such as water and food insecurity, and
• Increased awareness of climate change, leading to climate anxiety.

Study participants reported significant distress consistent with what youth across the globe are reporting. Youth in this study reported experiencing a range of feelings:

• They are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, despair, anxiety and frustration about climate change
• They feel dismissed by adults and the older generation.
• They feel angry that not enough is being done to protect their future.
• They understand climate change as closely linked with systemic racism and oppression. They believe both need to be addressed at the same time.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

One former legislator was critical of the report, calling into question the finding that youth “understand climate change as closely linked with systemic racism and oppression.” “I don't see kids making this connection. If anything, I think that kids have been driven to mental instability by disruption of their schooling patterns by government action in response to COVID. Government does more harm than climate” said the former legislator, who asked not to be identified.

Youth and key participants identified these strategies for nurturing hope and resilience:

• Create space for youth to come together and share their feelings about climate.
• Engage together in making social change.
• Nurture a stronger relationship with nature and our physical environment.

Decision-makers, educators, mental health professionals and environmental professionals support youth mental health and resilience in the face of climate change when they:

• Share power with youth in decision-making about climate and mental health policy and solutions to increase youth’s sense of hope, belonging and agency
• Educate themselves about the connection between climate change and youth mental health and healing centered approaches to engage with youth
• Increase investments in school and community mental health services. These investments are needed to meet increasing demands to support youth, family, and community well-being.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-07-01 06:01:44

Last Update: 2022-06-30 10:38:04