Minding our futures: Understanding climate-related mental wellbeing using systems science

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Public Health
• Systems Science

Background:

• Climate change significantly affects mental wellbeing, with young people being particularly vulnerable to climate anxiety.
• The Minding our Futures study utilized systems science to investigate these impacts and find solutions for young Australians (18-24 years).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complex relationship between climate change and mental wellbeing in young Australians.
• To identify actionable strategies for promoting mental wellbeing among young people facing climate-related distress.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing Group Model Building through three online facilitated workshops.
• Recruited 14 participants comprising health, youth, and climate practitioners and researchers.
• Developed a systems map and detailed descriptions of causal relationships affecting young people's mental health.

Main Results:

• Emergent themes included "Government, Services and Structures" (capitalism, powerlessness), "Social Norms, Communication and Taking Action" (social media, misinformation), and "Personal Experience of Environmental Disasters" (impacts, nature connection).
• Participants established clear links between these themes and mental health outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The research facilitated the design of structural responses to a critical public health issue using an applied translational approach.
• A co-led, multi-faceted strategy involving young people, Indigenous knowledges, policy change, community empowerment, and nature-based interventions was envisioned.