Climate change can have a significant impact on youth mental health around the world, according to a recent report by the American Psychological Association.
The effects of climate change impact and interact with other factors already identified as threats to youth mental health, including child development, parental health, rates of depression and suicide, anxiety, racism, poverty, housing security, adequate nutrition, and access to healthcare.
Meanwhile, natural disasters and other acute effects of climate change can result in trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in the short term, which could lead to longer-term mental health challenges if the child does not receive proper care.
In addition, the effects of extreme weather events as a result of climate change can interrupt normal fetal development and can be linked to a higher risk of anxiety or depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, educational deficits, decreased levels of self-control and psychiatric disorders appearing later in life.
The APA compiled the report by selecting peer-reviewed literature and government and agency reports from academic databases.