Climate Change and Children's Health: Mental Health
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APHealth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Climate Central
What it is
- This report examines the connections between climate change and children's and teens' mental health.
- The fact sheet linked at the top provides in-depth research on the psychological effects of exposure to climate disasters, the role of eco-anxiety among youth, and guidance for parents, caregivers, and educators on supporting children's mental health in the context of climate change.
Teaching tips
Prerequisites:
- Ensure students understand climate change and its impacts.
- Establish community agreements and a safe discussion environment.
Classroom Implementation:
- In elementary classrooms, use this resource to inform how you support students experiencing adverse mental health effects due to climate change.
- In high school classrooms, use this resource to spark a discussion about how students are feeling in the face of climate change.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Social Studies:
- Have students analyze the equity dimensions of the report: which populations are most vulnerable, and why? This can connect to broader units on environmental justice.
Extensions:
- Pair this resource with student-led climate action projects to channel eco-anxiety into constructive engagement.
Broken Links:
- Note that the link to the EPA's report at the bottom of the fact sheet is broken.
From the scientist review
This resource details how climate change affects children’s mental health. Numerous sources are linked throughout the fact sheet, often sourced from trusted institutions or peer-reviewed journals. The resource closes with a list of strategies to protect children’s mental health and a call to commit to immediate climate action. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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