This is a sponsored guest post.
Almost everyone acknowledges what a devastating impact climate change is having on the environment and the planet as a whole. We know there are consequences of climate change are affecting human physical health, but we’ve also found out it is effecting mental health.
Typically, we think of the most direct impacts of climate change. Extreme heat, flooding, hurricanes, frequent and intense wildfires are just a few ways climate change is impacting the safety and comfort of people all over the world. But there are indirect consequences as well, even for those not affected by these disasters.
Many people are experiencing grief, fear, and other strong emotions surrounding climate change. Young people are acutely aware of the problems facing our world and many children and teens are experiencing mental health challenges due to their emotions about the climate crisis. Many feel frustrated, scared, and helpless in the face of this looming threat, which sometimes escalates into issues like anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and post-trauma stress.
A relentlessly negative climate change news cycle, combined with political inaction and a developing brain can spell trouble for kids. So how does this affect kids’ health and how can families manage climate change stress without ignoring the issue? Here’s what you need to know.
Environmental Factors Impact Personal Health
Climate change is affecting more than the natural world. It’s also impacting the health of people all over the world. Our environment heavily influences both our physical and mental health. In public health, environmental health advocacy is becoming increasingly important.
People can be impacted by extreme heat (heatstroke), displacement, hunger, respiratory issues from pollution, increased disease outbreaks, and many other physical health problems influenced by climate change. Industries contributing to climate change are also introducing toxins into the air and water.
Children and teens who read about these problems or know people who are affected may experience mental health consequences and have trouble managing their stress. If they are impacted by climate change-related physical health problems themselves, the mental health challenges could be even worse.
Prolonged Stress Affects Pregnancies and Children
We all experience stress at certain points in our lives, but when it is prolonged and becomes chronic, it can have serious mental and physical health consequences. When a pregnant woman experiences chronic stress, it can affect the developing fetus as well. Unfortunately, climate change can be a source of prolonged stress for young women, especially for those who are worried about the future of the planet for their children.
This type of “toxic stress” can influence a range of complications, including premature birth, especially in teen mothers. Preterm babies often have health problems and may experience developmental delays, affecting their mental health from the very beginning. For the well-being of both mother and child, stress of any kind should be kept as low as possible.
Infant Mental Health Can Suffer from Family Stress
Most people don’t think about babies’ mental health, since most of them seem to be happy, curious, and engaged. However, it is important to realize how much development occurs during the first few years of life. Babies have to rapidly learn key social and emotional skills during this time and their environment has an enormous impact on their mental health.
Stress in the family can affect a baby’s normal brain development. If other members of the family are experiencing depression, anxiety, and grief surrounding climate change (and quite possibly compounded by the pandemic), that could affect the baby’s well-being and ability to reach key milestones.
Toxic stress affects a child’s development and could contribute to mental health disorders later in life. It’s very important for families to create a secure and loving environment and to watch out for delays or other signs of trouble in infants.
Taking Care of You and Your Family’s Mental Health
Understanding just how much climate change can impact the mental health of kids and teens is a wake-up call for many. We often underestimate how many children suffer from common mental health disorders or dismiss the severity of their feelings. Unfortunately, the best course of action at this time is awareness and stress management.
Start by talking about your feelings together. Acknowledge the grief, fear, and anxiety. Discuss ways that you might be able to feel better about climate change and what you can do. Connect with your communities and be prepared for potential disasters. This preparedness can help set your family’s minds at ease.
Engage in stress-reducing activities together. Take walks, do yoga, decompress with a puzzle, or even meditate. These activities will help regulate everyone’s mood, even when things feel especially difficult.
Finally, take action. Action can help everyone focus on solutions, rather than the overwhelming problem we face. Get involved. Reduce your footprint. Above all, take care of each other!
