Climate change is taking a tool on the mental health of young people. In Wales, youngsters are experiencing hopelessness about their future due to the rapid climate change.
As a result, they are experiencing climate anxiety, stress, and other disorders. In order to lessen its impact, Wales authorities are making certain changes in their educational programs to reduce climate anxiety among young people.
Place2Be is a charity organization which is offering counseling in schools. It says that climate change anxiety among young people needs immediate attention. And certain important measures must be taken to address this growing problem among youngsters.
Plaid Cymru has said it demands to fund eco-projects aimed at helping improve children’s well-being. In its response, the Welsh government said it has made changes to pupil’s curriculum which would make significant improvements in their mental health.
Need to Pay Attention to People’s Mental Health
Cliona Vaughan, a counselor working as school project manager for Place2Be in South Wales, has demanded more attention towards people’s mental health. She said the news of climate change is severely impacting the mental health of people.
But businesses and politicians are not paying necessary attention towards it. Vaughan believes it is high time to address the mental health of young people in Wales.
Vaughan has admitted that children need to focus on their dreams and hopes to see their bright future. Besides, she reckons they must not fall a victim to climate anxiety after hearing news of climate change.
In her view, children need empowering support to cope up with climate stress and anxiety. And she fears they might become hopeless after entering their adulthood.
Youngsters Willing to Take Action Against Climate Change
Different youngsters are responding differently to climate anxiety. Some young people believe climate anxiety inspires them to act strongly against climate change. While others consider it is the lack of knowledge that prevents people from taking certain actions against it.
Moreover, youngsters admit that young people come together to act strongly against the menace of climate change. Dr. Marc Williams, a clinical psychologist at Cardiff University, has admitted that further research is needed on the issue of climate anxiety among youngsters.
He believes the best way to deal with climate anxiety is to take strong measures for preventing climate change. Plaid Cymru’s spokeswoman on climate change, Delyth Jewell, has offered her opinion on this subject.
She has said it is very important to take action to deal with climate change. Otherwise, it could take severe form and affect the future of young people in an adverse manner.
