The natural world and our climate make up ‘the water we all swim in’ and are therefore inextricably linked to our health and wellbeing.
Our children and young people are going to be most negatively affected by climate change and biodiversity loss (Sanson & Bellemo, 2021). They need us all to do what we can. As trusted medical professionals, our voice is hugely influential.
Climate change and biodiversity loss undoubtedly threaten health, but the required response also offers an opportunity to reimagine what we do in all walks of life, at the same time as tackling existing inequalities and inefficiencies.
This module will focus on explaining how climate change is linked to children and young people’s poor mental health and, on the flip side, how increased access to green space and boosting people’s connection to nature is associated with positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
The module aims to leave learners able to relate this to their clinical work and feel empowered to make small but meaningful changes to improve the sustainability of their practice.
Learning objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- summarise the evidence linking climate change and biodiversity loss to poor mental health in children and young people (CYP)
- describe the implications of nature’s role in health: for assessment, formulation and treatment options
- identify what support CYP and parents/carers need to navigate the mental health impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss
- recognise the barriers for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinicians to making changes and how to overcome them
- explain the importance of leadership and identify a specific action to take into practice, towards more sustainable, nature-friendly care.
Availability
This module is available as part of a CPD eLearning subscription.
