How does climate change affect children’s mental health?

Join the Children, Youth & Family Funders Roundtable and ecoAmerica as we discuss the ways climate change is affecting children’s mental health. Climate change is happening now; our children and communities are experiencing warmer weather, more air pollution, and more frequent natural disasters than generations of the past.

There are a number of ways that climate change is affecting mental health – from coping with the stressors of trauma to the compounded stress and daily dread of living on a planet in peril. For children, there can be a sense of loss, both the real loss of places, things, and relationships that are important to them and the perceived loss associated with impending disaster. The fear and feeling of powerlessness that comes with learning about and experiencing climate change affects children deeply. Interestingly, new research also shows that children who have experienced natural disasters may be more resilient and lead more sustainable lifestyles when given hope, advice, and support from caregivers.

This webinar will explore both the effects of climate change on children’s mental health and the variety of approaches funders can take to build children’s resiliency and support the connections with community, adults, and educators that help children cope with uncertainty.