The Effects of Climate Change on Mental Health

Abstract

This Persuasive Research Essay focuses on the detrimental effects that climate change will have on college student's mental health, specifically here at UMD. College students already experience mental health conditions during their time, however the added environmental impacts caused by climate change such as increasing a person's exposure to extreme weather patterns can increase the prevalence of mental health conditions among college students. This paper addresses environmental health disparities among minority groups and the limitations that many college campuses have, including the Counseling Center at the University of Maryland. This paper proposes a benefit of a freshman environmental group to advocate for climate change awareness and policy change for mental health services. Furthermore, the paper focuses on how to utilize the sustainable precautionary principle in order to destigmatize mental health and increase availability to services and resources. In order to avoid unforeseen and uncontrollable mental health outcomes, this persuasive essay views the environmental crisis through a mental health lens in order to asses the impacts climate change will have on a social, communal, and individual level.