MENTAL HEALTH

The document describes the intersection of a pediatric mental health emergency and the intensifying impacts of climate change. It details how displacement, extreme heat, air pollution, and the loss of natural spaces contribute to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress in youth. It highlights the prevalence of 'eco-anxiety' and the role of adverse childhood experiences in worsening health outcomes. The text provides guidance for caregivers to support children through communication, stability, and collective action, while advocating for rapid carbon pollution cuts to protect future generations.

• Climate change intersects with a pre-existing pediatric mental health emergency in the U.S., where approximately 13% of children aged 0-17 have a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition.
• Children's mental health is negatively impacted by climate change through several drivers: displacement from homes, school closures, loss of recreational natural spaces, extreme heat, and exposure to air pollution, which is linked to cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety.
• Eco-anxiety is increasing among young people; a survey of over 15,700 U.S. teens and young adults (ages 16-25) found that nearly 43% reported climate change had a moderate or greater impact on their mental health.
• Weather disasters act as adverse childhood experiences that can lead to lifelong physical and mental health impacts, with increased risks for those facing compounded stressors like food insecurity, homelessness, or discrimination.
• Caregivers can mitigate psychological impacts by using age-appropriate communication about climate solutions, maintaining stability and routines after disasters, and involving youth in collective climate action to foster hope and agency.

APA

Climate Central (2025). MENTAL HEALTH. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/2oFMAUFGgjyUhsXxkYSOZg/4dd7b944e118b678fc06159c42ecec4c/ChildrenAndClimateChange_MentalHealth.pdf

Chicago

Climate Central. MENTAL HEALTH. 2025. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/2oFMAUFGgjyUhsXxkYSOZg/4dd7b944e118b678fc06159c42ecec4c/ChildrenAndClimateChange_MentalHealth.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=MENTAL HEALTH |date=January 2025 |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/2oFMAUFGgjyUhsXxkYSOZg/4dd7b944e118b678fc06159c42ecec4c/ChildrenAndClimateChange_MentalHealth.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2025mental, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{MENTAL HEALTH}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/2oFMAUFGgjyUhsXxkYSOZg/4dd7b944e118b678fc06159c42ecec4c/ChildrenAndClimateChange_MentalHealth.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }