A groundbreaking study from Athabasca University has brought to light the profound psychological impact climate change is having on Canadian adolescents. The research, which surveyed 800 youths aged 13 to 18, reveals that more than one-third of these young individuals believe that the ongoing climate crisis is significantly affecting their mental health. This emerging phenomenon, often termed “climate anxiety” or “eco-anxiety,” encompasses a complex range of emotional responses to the looming environmental threats that shape the outlook and daily lives of today’s youth.
The study, spearheaded by Dr. Gina Martin, an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Disciplines at Athabasca University, delves deeply into the subjective experiences of these adolescents. By employing qualitative methods and allowing participants to articulate their thoughts through open-ended survey responses, the research captures an authentic view of how climate change is impacting young minds across diverse Canadian regions. The findings underscore pervasive feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry, which are not fleeting reactions but persistent emotional states tied directly to environmental degradation and future uncertainties.
A significant contribution of this research lies in its identification of four central themes underlying youths’ climate-related mental health concerns. First, the emotional and psychological toll manifests through narratives of anxiety, depression, sadness, and fear. These emotions frequently intertwine, creating a pervasive sense of unease about the world’s ecological trajectory. Secondly, participants expressed acute apprehensions about their personal futures, reflecting hopelessness and trepidations over losing homes, livelihoods, and the essential qualities of life as extreme weather events become more commonplace.
Beyond individual fears, there’s a broad-reaching concern for the environment itself, including the fate of biodiversity and humanity. This extends beyond mere awareness or abstract worry; it reflects a deep-seated dread that the ecological collapse could precipitate a dramatic reshaping of society and natural life forms. For many teens, the worry is compounded by pragmatic issues affecting their current lifestyles, such as disruptions to normal daily functioning due to climate-related events, especially wildfires and poor air quality, which not only impact mental well-being but also physical health.
Indeed, the physical repercussions reported by some participants include difficulties in breathing, headaches, and general weakness during wildfire seasons. These descriptions highlight the complex interaction between environmental hazards and health, where physiological and psychological stressors converge. Although the study did not directly query physical health symptoms, the testimony of youths strongly suggests they are intuitively connecting their somatic experiences to broader climatic and environmental stress.
A pivotal aspect of the research methodology was its comprehensive national scope. Using a reputable polling firm, the study engaged youth from rural, remote, and urban settings, ensuring an inclusive representation of experiences and viewpoints. This was critical to capture the heterogeneity of climate anxiety, which varies considerably depending on geographical, social, and cultural contexts. Younger adolescents were also included, a demographic often underrepresented in climate psychology research, thereby providing insights into early developmental impacts of environmental threat perceptions.
The inclusion of diverse populations revealed nuances in how climate change is experienced: urban youths might confront pollution and heat islands, while rural and remote participants face more direct exposures to environmental degradation or resource scarcity. These varied realities shape the nature and intensity of eco-anxiety and demand tailored approaches to support mental health interventions suited to specific community contexts.
Dr. Martin emphasizes that this study is not merely diagnostic but serves as a foundation for designing mental health frameworks and resilience-building strategies tailored for young people. Understanding the internal language youths use to articulate their climate anxieties enables professionals to create more empathetic, effective, and relevant mental health resources. Such tools are essential for mitigating the psychological distress caused by climate uncertainty and for fostering adaptive coping mechanisms.
The implications extend into policy and education realms, where integrating climate change mental health literacy into curricula and public health discourse becomes imperative. By acknowledging the psychological consequences of environmental change, institutions can better prepare to support youth as they navigate an unprecedented ecological crisis. The research advocates for proactive mitigation strategies, underscoring the necessity of protecting mental health in tandem with environmental sustainability efforts.
Importantly, this work challenges the assumption that climate change impacts are solely external or ecological in nature. It spotlights the intimate, internalized experiences of young people who are grappling with existential threats on a daily basis. This internalization may lead some adolescents to question their roles in society, their future family prospects, and their connection to a world that appears increasingly precarious.
Moreover, the study’s timing in the early 2020s situates it within a growing global awareness of mental health tied to environmental issues. As wildfires, floods, and heat waves escalate, so too does the visibility of climate anxiety as a public health concern. The Canadian context provides a microcosm for broader international patterns, suggesting that the mental health burden of climate change is a universal challenge requiring cross-disciplinary research and multi-sector collaboration.
Ultimately, this research published in PLOS Mental Health (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000424) offers essential, evidence-based insights into the emotional landscape of climate change among adolescents. By illuminating the voices of young Canadians, it not only captures the urgency of the crisis but opens avenues for transformative interventions that may empower this generation to cope meaningfully with their climate reality.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Canadian adolescents’ perceptions of how climate change is impacting their mental health: A qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses
News Publication Date: 24-Sep-2025
Web References: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000424
Image Credits: Athabasca University
Keywords: Mental health, Climate change adaptation, Climate change, Adolescents, Young people
