Researchers at Edith Cowan University are inviting young people to participate in a project which aims to understand how climate change affects the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in WA.
Research shows that concern about climate change is growing in young people and climate anxiety is being felt more powerfully among the young. Youth mental health charity Headspace surveyed over 3000 young people in 2023, and more than half of them said they feared for the future due to climate change. Eco anxiety can be defined as a chronic fear of environmental doom. Climate anxiety may manifest itself as heightened emotional, mental and somatic distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system. Addressing the impacts of eco anxiety is one of the primary foundations for the Trillion Trees education program, SPROUT! Taking steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change through real, nature-based solutions like tree planting, may help to reduce the symptoms of eco anxiety in young people.
Dr Naomi Godden is working with young people, researchers, community organisations and leaders to complete a project on climate change and the wellbeing of children and young people. This project will help young people, and those working to support children and young people (for example people working in child health services and education).
Organisations involved in this research include Edith Cowan University’s Centre for People, Place and Planet, Telethon Kids Institute, Australian National University, Youth Affairs Council of WA, Climate Justice Union WA, WA Association for Mental Health, Ngarlark Katitjin, Aboriginal Elders and community members, and young people involved in climate advocacy. The research is funded by Healthway.
Young people aged 13-18 are invited to participate in an online survey which will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.
Click here to start the survey.
The survey will ask young people how they feel about climate change, and if they are involved in any actions to address climate change. It is anonymous, and all information collected will be private and confidential. The survey is open until 19 August 2024.
This project is approved by Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee [HREC1156] and Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee [2022-03565-GODDEN].