A new study by Drexel University suggests a correlation between worsening human-induced climate change and an increase in mental distress among teenagers in the United States.

Climate Change Linked to Mental Distress Among US Youth

A comprehensive survey involving over 38,000 high school students across 22 public school districts in 14 states revealed that adolescents exposed to a higher frequency of climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts, in the past two to five years, exhibited a 20% higher likelihood of experiencing mental distress compared to their peers who encountered fewer or no such events.

This study, the first of its kind on such a large scale, analyzed data spanning 83 federally declared climate disasters over a decade. It combined information on disaster occurrence from the Federal Emergency Management Agency with mental health indicators from the US Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 

Lead author Amy Auchincloss, PhD, emphasized the concerning impact of climate-related disasters on the mental well-being of American teens, highlighting the extensive exposure to such events endured by many school districts, with some experiencing climate disasters for over 20 days in the past two years. 

The survey gauged mental health distress through self-reported symptoms of persistent sadness or hopelessness and inadequate sleep duration, both known precursors to mental health disorders in adolescents. 

The researchers adjusted for various demographic and environmental factors, such as age, race, gender, bullying experiences, school safety concerns, and household income, to isolate the effects of climate disasters on mental health.

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Strongest Impact on Mental Distress

Co-author Josiah Kephart, PhD, noted that the strongest impact on mental distress occurred in the immediate aftermath of a climate disaster, with the effect gradually diminishing over time but remaining discernible even five to ten years post-disaster. 

While the study cannot establish a causal relationship between climate disasters and mental distress, it underscores the urgent need for further research to understand the full extent of climate change impacts on youth mental health and to develop strategies for mitigating potential adverse effects.

The findings are particularly significant considering the already prevalent mental health challenges among adolescents, with roughly half experiencing mental health disorders during childhood or adolescence, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Co-author Esther Chernak, MD, emphasized the importance of allocating resources to address the growing mental health crisis among youth, especially in lower-income communities.

"Resources for the youth mental health crisis already have difficulty meeting demand, and demand will increase as disasters increase," said Chernak.

"The current study is evidence that clinicians, policymakers, parents, and many others with a stake in youth mental health can point to when advocating for increasing adolescent-specific mental health resources-particularly in lower-income communities who will be hit hardest by disasters," she added.

The findings of the study were published in the Preventive Medicine Reports. 

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