Climate change and youth mental health and wellbeing: a population-based study and participatory knowledge-to-action project

78% of Canadian youth report that climate change impacts their mental health. This is important because mental ill-health during youth can have significant impacts over the lifetime. At the same time, youth feel powerless in addressing climate change, particularly due to government inaction.
This research seeks to uncover how negative emotions about climate change impact mental health in BC youth and what factors may protect against negative mental health outcomes. This research focuses specifically on factors of agency, for example activism and pro-environmental behaviours. I will use a large data set of more than 250,000 youth to learn about their mental health and climate change concerns. Additionally, I will work with 20 youth and two community-based organizations more closely to co-create a policy-level advocacy program and to understand the role of engaging in activism with regards to participants’ mental health. I believe this project will contribute to fostering the resilience and inter-generational support that youth will need as they take on the challenge of our generations.