The widespread floods of last year, along with other catastrophic events including the Black Summer bushfires have been the focus of new research on environmental issues and the way they affect mental health of young people.
“Climate anxiety” and “eco-anxiety” are new terms being used to describe feelings of anxiety, helplessness, stress, worry and frustration about the effects of climate change, including natural disasters.
The headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey shows over half of Australian young people (53%) surveyed feel fearful about the future due to the impacts of climate change – a view that is shared by many young people living in disaster-hit communities…