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Chapter 12 - Pediatricians’ Perspectives

Youth Climate Distress in the Pediatric Setting

from Part II - Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Youth Climate Distress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2024

By
Samantha Ahdoot
Edited by
Elizabeth Haase  and
Kelsey Hudson
Elizabeth Haase
Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Reno
Kelsey Hudson
Affiliation:
Climate Psychology Alliance North America
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Summary

The rise of mental health disorders in young people has presented a tremendous challenge, exacerbated by the deficit in trained mental health professionals. Pediatricians are positioned to help fill this gap by virtue of their long-standing relationships, understanding of a family’s social context and highly valued perspective. As pediatricians assume greater responsibility for mental health care in young people, there is a need to incorporate climate change as a rising risk. To address this need, pediatricians can serve in several roles. As clinicians, pediatricians meet the needs of patients suffering from climate-related physical and mental health harms. As educators, pediatricians advance understanding of the intersections between climate change and health. Pediatricians are also uniquely positioned to advocate for climate change solutions, promoting hope in the process. This chapter discusses climate change-related mental health concerns in a primary care setting and how pediatricians are working to advance solutions across the nation.

Keywords

pediatricianpediatricsclimate changemental healtheducationadvocacy
Type
Chapter
Information
Climate Change and Youth Mental Health
Multidisciplinary Perspectives
 , pp. 231 - 250
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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