"Not about us without us" – the feelings and hopes of climate-concerned young people around the world. (4th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diffey, James; Wright, Sacha; Uchendu, Jennifer Olachi; Masithi, Shelot; Olude, Ayomide; Juma, Damian Omari; Anya, Lekwa Hope; Salami, Temilade; Mogathala, Pranav Reddy; Agarwal, Hrithik; Roh, Hyunji; Aboy, Kyle Villanueva; Cote, Joshua; Saini, Aditiya; Mitchell, Kadisha; Kleczka, Jessica; Lobner, Nadeem Gomaa; Ialamov, Leann; Borbely, Monika; Hostetler, Tupelo; Wood, Alaina; Rodriguez-Uruchurtu, Aoife Mercedes; Lawrance, Emma
• Is Part Of: International review of psychiatry. Volume 34:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 499
• Page End: 509
• Publication Date: 2022-07-04
• Subjects: Climate crisis -- climate inaction -- youth mental health -- eco-anxiety -- hopes for the future; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2126297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0261

Abstract

Abstract: The feelings and hopes of young people around the world are often neglected in policymaking and research, with consequences for both their wellbeing and the effectiveness of humanity's response to the climate crisis. Many of them are distressed by climate change's impacts, the inaction of political and corporate leaders, the ways other people respond to their feelings, and the lack of support they have to share their feelings or get involved in meaningful climate-related work. This paper is written by a group of twenty-three concerned young people from fifteen countries. It provides a first-hand account of our deepest feelings, how these feelings affect our daily lives, the support we want to help us cope, and our hopes for a radically more compassionate future. The results are particularly relevant to policymakers, mental health professionals, journalists, educators, and people working with young people more widely.