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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western Australia
Journal of paediatrics and child health, Vol.57(11), pp.1759-1764
2021
PMID: 34792244
Abstract
The climate crisis has detrimental impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Psychological effects include feelings of fear, overwhelm, worry, distress, hopelessness and anger; PTSD; depression; anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; sleep disturbances; attachment disorders; learning difficulties; substance abuse; shock and trauma symptoms; adjustment problems; behavioural problems; and, suicidal thinking. First Nations' children and young people are particularly at risk due to loss of place, identity, culture, land and customs informed by kinship relationships with the Earth; while sustainable land use practices and connection to Country and community can enhance climate resilience. In Western Australia (WA), some young people engage in climate activism – including striking from school – to demand government action to address the causes of climate change, including colonisation and capitalism. Climate activism can promote resilience, particularly when children and young people can emotionally engage in the climate crisis; when mental health is systemically supported; when climate communication is transparent and comprehensive; and, when activism is informed by the knowledges and wisdoms of First Nations peoples and grounded on Country. This article is co-authored by WA young people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal academics, activists and practitioners engaged in youth, mental health and climate justice spaces. We argue for structural change to address the causes of the climate crisis, alongside enhanced evidence and approaches to appropriately support the mental health of children and young people. Furthermore, we support the call of Aboriginal peoples to ensure culturally appropriate, place-based responses based in caring for Country.
Details
- Title
- Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- Naomi J. Godden - Department of Social Work, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, AustraliaBrad M. Farrant - Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaJaime Yallup Farrant - Climate Justice Union, Perth, WA, AustraliaEmma Heyink - WA Youth Climate Activist, Margaret River, WA, AustraliaEva Carot Collins - WA Youth Climate Activist, WA, AustraliaBella Burgemeister - WA Youth Climate Activist, Bunbury, WA, AustraliaMena Tabeshfar - School Strike for Climate Activist, Perth, WA, AustraliaJason Barrow - Ngalak Katitjin, Perth, WA, AustraliaMara West - Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaJasmine Kieft - Climate Justice Union, Perth, WA, AustraliaMason Rothwell - Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaZoe Leviston - Research School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaSusan Bailey - School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Bunbury, WA, AustraliaMindy Blaise - Cen tre for People, Place and Planet, E dith Cowan University, Perth, WA, AustraliaTrudi Cooper - School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Publication Details
- Journal of paediatrics and child health, Vol.57(11), pp.1759-1764
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- DP210101258 / Australian Research Council (501100000923) National Health and Medical Research Council (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000925) Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (501100000155) Plan International Australia Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre 1098844 / National Health and Medical Research Council (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000925) 1098844 / National Health and Medical Research Council (501100000925) DP210101258 / Australian Research Council (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000923) Australian Research Council (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000923) Perpetual Ltd and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
- Identifiers
- 991005870931807891
- Copyright
- © 2021 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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