Climate Change and Its Impact on Adolescent Mental Health in Madagascar
Research from Trinity College Dublin indicates that climate change is causing a mental health crisis among adolescents in southern Madagascar. The study reveals high rates of anxiety and depression among youths, driven by food insecurity and uncertainty about the future. It calls for mental health support to be woven into climate adaptation strategies, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions in low- and middle-income countries.
Recent research from Trinity College Dublin highlights the profound mental health crisis exacerbated by climate change, particularly affecting adolescents in vulnerable regions such as southern Madagascar. Published in the ‘Journal of Climate Change and Health’, the study emphasizes the necessity for integrating mental health resources into climate adaptation strategies as young people grapple with an uncertain future. The research indicates that climate change is not only an environmental concern but significantly impacts mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.
The study assessed 83 adolescents through surveys and engaged 48 participants in focus groups across six villages in March 2024. Findings revealed alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and despair among youths in the region, who expressed feelings of powerlessness regarding their futures. In the words of one participant, “I have no idea what I can do to be happy,” reflecting a pervasive sense of hopelessness.
Lead author Dr. Kristin Hadfield underlined that young people in southern Madagascar are the first to experience the impacts of climate change, thus providing crucial insights into its influence on mental well-being. The study identified three critical pathways through which climate change adversely affects adolescent mental health: depletion of resources, uncertainty about the future, and disruption of coping mechanisms.
Currently, food insecurity is acute, with 90% of households reporting a lack of food in the past year. Distressingly, 69% of adolescents reported going an entire day without food. Many have experienced community tragedies, with one adolescent recounted the stark reality of death caused by malnutrition.
Isabelle Mareschal of Queen Mary University of London underscored the necessity of addressing the mental health implications of climate change on young individuals, particularly in developing nations. Dr. Nambinina Rasolomalala from the Catholic University of Madagascar emphasized the alarming narratives of adolescents facing famine and fear, stressing the need for immediate intervention to mitigate the impacts of climate change on their mental health.
Satry Ramaroson, Madagascar Country Director for CBM Global, stated the crisis is particularly severe among children and adolescents, highlighting that cyclical droughts contribute to food scarcity and a loss of hope. The comprehensive findings from the study can be accessed in the publication There is no hope; only strong wind”: How climate change impacts adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar.
The research published by Trinity College Dublin reveals that climate change is significantly impacting adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar through various pathways, including loss of resources and food insecurity. Young individuals express deep anxiety and hopelessness regarding their future amid worsening climate conditions. Consequently, the study advocates for the integration of mental health support into climate adaptation strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations who bear the brunt of these environmental crises.
Original Source: www.tcd.ie
