Post by account_disabled on Feb 20, 2024 1:23:50 GMT -8
A few days after World Mental Health Day has been celebrated, it is crucial to explore its relationship with the environment. The recent UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the right to a healthy environment suggests that, as we celebrate mental health as a human right, we must remember that a liveable, clean planet is essential for our mental well-being. However, the critical role the natural environment plays in our psychological and emotional health is often overlooked. It is then that understanding the connection between mental health and the environment should be a call to world leaders and rulers to protect the mental health of their citizens and guarantee a healthy and sustainable environment . Mental health and the environment are intrinsically connected Last year marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the environment and mental health. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing a healthy environment and a stable climate as fundamental human rights. This historic decision underscores the interconnection between the health of our planet and the health of its inhabitants. It is also a reminder that, as we celebrate mental health as a human right, we must also keep in mind that a liveable and breathable planet is not only a necessity for our environment, but is essential for our own mental well-being. Living in a degraded or threatened environment can have a significant impact on our mental health.
Environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution, and climate change can trigger a wide range of mental health problems. Scientific evidence supports this claim. For example, several studies have shown that exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, degradation of the natural environment, such as deforestation and loss of green space, has been linked to increased stress and a decreased sense of well-being. Ecoanxiety is on the rise A phenomenon that has gained Chile Mobile Number List notoriety in recent years and that shows a clear example of the relationship between mental health and the environment is "eco-anxiety." People, especially young people, are experiencing growing concern and anxiety about the state of the environment and the future of the planet. Ecoanxiety manifests itself as an emotional response to environmental crisis, including feelings of fear, sadness, anger and hopelessness. Constant news of extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation contribute to this anxiety. In line with this connection between mental health and the environment, the study Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: A global survey (2021) revealed that up to 60 percent of young people feel very or extremely concerned about climate change.
More than 45 percent of them reported that these feelings negatively affect their daily lives. Ecoanxiety often comes from a feeling of helplessness in the face of the climate crisis. The perception that climate change is out of control and that individual actions are insufficient to address it contributes to this anxiety. So what can world leaders do to address this interconnection between mental health and the environment? 3 actions to address the connection between mental health and the environment As a healthy environment and a stable climate are increasingly recognized as human rights, it is critical that leaders take steps to effectively address this issue. Here are some steps you can take to address this interconnectedness in a meaningful way: First of all, it is essential to foster a positive relationship between young people and nature. Children and adolescents often experience a deep connection with the natural environment. Spending time outdoors, exploring forests, enjoying parks and gardens, and connecting with nature can be a source of happiness and well-being. However, as young people get older, they spend less time in nature. This must change. Promoting outdoor activities and “Green Social Prescription” programs can help improve young people's mental health. Second, educating young people about climate change and how to address it can help reduce their anxiety. One of the main objectives of this strategy is to prepare all young people for a world affected by climate change through learning and practical experience.
Environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution, and climate change can trigger a wide range of mental health problems. Scientific evidence supports this claim. For example, several studies have shown that exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, degradation of the natural environment, such as deforestation and loss of green space, has been linked to increased stress and a decreased sense of well-being. Ecoanxiety is on the rise A phenomenon that has gained Chile Mobile Number List notoriety in recent years and that shows a clear example of the relationship between mental health and the environment is "eco-anxiety." People, especially young people, are experiencing growing concern and anxiety about the state of the environment and the future of the planet. Ecoanxiety manifests itself as an emotional response to environmental crisis, including feelings of fear, sadness, anger and hopelessness. Constant news of extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation contribute to this anxiety. In line with this connection between mental health and the environment, the study Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: A global survey (2021) revealed that up to 60 percent of young people feel very or extremely concerned about climate change.
More than 45 percent of them reported that these feelings negatively affect their daily lives. Ecoanxiety often comes from a feeling of helplessness in the face of the climate crisis. The perception that climate change is out of control and that individual actions are insufficient to address it contributes to this anxiety. So what can world leaders do to address this interconnection between mental health and the environment? 3 actions to address the connection between mental health and the environment As a healthy environment and a stable climate are increasingly recognized as human rights, it is critical that leaders take steps to effectively address this issue. Here are some steps you can take to address this interconnectedness in a meaningful way: First of all, it is essential to foster a positive relationship between young people and nature. Children and adolescents often experience a deep connection with the natural environment. Spending time outdoors, exploring forests, enjoying parks and gardens, and connecting with nature can be a source of happiness and well-being. However, as young people get older, they spend less time in nature. This must change. Promoting outdoor activities and “Green Social Prescription” programs can help improve young people's mental health. Second, educating young people about climate change and how to address it can help reduce their anxiety. One of the main objectives of this strategy is to prepare all young people for a world affected by climate change through learning and practical experience.