In recent years, the headlines have been dominated by devastating environmental disasters—intense heat waves, catastrophic wildfires, record-breaking storms, and rising sea levels. These events are no longer distant concerns; they are increasingly reshaping lives around the globe. Yet, amid the visible destruction, one aspect of climate change remains underreported: its impact on the mental health of young people.
Research is beginning to shed light on how climate change is affecting the emotional well-being of adolescents and young adults, both in the United States and abroad. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, many young people are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and uncertainty about their future.
Abby Rafeek, a 14-year-old high school student from Gardena, California, exemplifies these concerns. “It’s definitely affecting my life because it causes stress thinking about the future,” Abby says. “If we don’t address the problem now, our planet is going to get worse.” Living just miles from areas impacted by frequent wildfires, Abby’s worries are personal. “It’s a bigger problem for me because the fires are closer, and they also affect the air quality,” she explains.
Abby’s concerns are not isolated. In April, she participated in a climate change survey for children aged 12-17, administered by pediatric emergency physician Rammy Assaf at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. The survey, which was adapted from a similar study conducted for adults, aims to assess how climate change is affecting the mental health of young people. The early findings highlight a growing unease about the future, with many expressing feelings of powerlessness and helplessness.
Dr. Assaf, who conducted the survey with over 800 children and their caregivers, found that when asked about their outlook on the future, many teens described emotions such as “hopeless” and “helpless.” “These are very strong emotions,” Assaf notes, emphasizing the depth of anxiety young people are experiencing.
Given these troubling findings, Assaf advocates for climate change-related questions to be included in mental health screenings for children. He suggests that such conversations be integrated into routine pediatric care, noting that the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended incorporating climate change counseling into clinical practices, though not specifically related to mental health.
This anxiety about climate change is part of a broader mental health crisis affecting youth, which includes rising rates of depression, loneliness, and suicide. However, some recent reports suggest a slight improvement in mental health trends.
A 2022 Harris Poll revealed that 89% of U.S. teenagers regularly think about the environment, with many feeling more worried than hopeful. In fact, 69% expressed fear that they and their families would soon be affected by climate change, and 82% indicated that decisions about where to live and whether to have children would be influenced by environmental concerns.
The issue extends beyond the U.S. A 2021 survey conducted across 10 countries, involving 10,000 young people aged 16-25, found that 59% of respondents were “very or extremely worried” about climate change, with 84% expressing moderate to high levels of concern.
Experts argue that climate change anxiety may be especially pronounced among younger generations. Susan Clayton, chair of the psychology department at the College of Wooster, explains that while older adults may not have grown up with an acute awareness of climate change, younger people have lived with it as a pressing reality. “Knowing you have the bulk of your life ahead of you gives you a very different perspective on what your future will be like,” Clayton says.
For many young people, a sense of betrayal compounds their anxiety. Many feel that their governments have not done enough to address the crisis, which increases feelings of powerlessness. Clayton notes that this sense of betrayal is strongly linked to heightened anxiety about climate change.
Abby Rafeek shares this sentiment, expressing frustration over the lack of decisive action to tackle climate change. “If we can figure out how to live on Mars or explore the deep sea, we could definitely do more for the planet,” she argues.
As climate change continues to impact the world, its toll on mental health, especially among young people, cannot be ignored. Experts emphasize the importance of supporting youth through this challenging time, whether by acknowledging their concerns, providing spaces for open discussions, or incorporating climate-related counseling into healthcare practices. Understanding and addressing climate change anxiety is crucial to safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
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