“Empowering Gen Z Climate Advocates: Youth Mental Health and Climate Action Session Recap”

During Climate Week in New York City, the American Public Health Association and the Climate Mental Health Network co-hosted a session focusing on youth mental health and the impact of climate change. The session, which featured Gen Z climate advocates, provided updates on research regarding climate and mental health, as well as resources for local and national action.

The speakers at the session included Nina Dietz, a Freelance Journalist from Inside Climate News; Sarah Newman, the Executive Director of the Climate Mental Health Network; Elissa Teles Munoz and Natalie Heller from the Climate Mental Health Network; Allison Su, a Research Assistant at Barnard College; Eric Lewandowski, PhD, a Clinical Associate Professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine; Ben Fulgencio-Turner, the Director of Climate for Health; and Katherine Catalano, the Deputy Director of the Center of Climate, Health & Equity at APHA.

For those interested in learning more about resources for youth mental health and climate change, links to additional resources were provided by Ben Fulgencio-Turner, the Director of ecoAmerica’s Climate for Health program. These resources include opportunities to apply or nominate for the American Climate Leadership Awards 2025, join ClimateRx, access the Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Children and Youth Report 2023, participate in Climate for Health Ambassador Training, and explore Climate for Health Resources.

Overall, the session at Climate Week highlighted the importance of addressing mental health in the context of climate change, especially for youth advocates who are at the forefront of climate action. The resources provided aim to support individuals and organizations in promoting mental health and well-being in the face of a changing climate.