Keynote: Exploring Climate Change, Extreme Weather Events, and Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Youth in the Northwest Territories

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the social and structural determinants that heighten vulnerability to eco-anxiety among Northern adolescents exposed to wildfires;
2. Understand pathways linking wildfire exposure, food insecurity, and social identity factors to youth eco-anxiety using mixed-methods evidence; and
3. Explore equity-oriented approaches to climate-related mental health promotion for youth in remote and Indigenous communities.

Abstract

Background:

The impacts of extreme weather events on youth eco-anxiety are shaped by broader social-ecological contexts. In 2023, 300 wildfires burned 4.16 million hectares of land in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. Our mixed methods study among NWT adolescents explored lived experiences of the 2023 wildfires, and associations between 2023 wildfire exposure severity, alongside other socio-ecological factors, and eco-anxiety.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 17 NWT secondary schools with adolescents aged 13-18. We conducted structural equation modelling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation to examine pathways between social factors (e.g., gender), living conditions (e.g., rurality), structural factors (food insecurity), and environmental factors (wildfire exposure severity) and eco-anxiety. We also conducted a 3-day think tank with focus groups (n=15 youth) with youth aged 13-19 to explore 2023 wildfire experiences.

Results:

Survey participants (n=290; mean age=13.68, SD=1.69, girls: 47.57% were primarily (68.79%) Indigenous and lived in rural areas (79.10%). The direct paths from gender (girls) (β=0.204, p<0.01), LGBQ identity (β=0.063, p<0.01), and living in a rural area (β=0.167, p <0.05) to eco-anxiety were significant, with food insecurity and wildfire exposure severity partially mediating this relationship. Think tank participants reported mental health impacts of the wildfires, including (1) acute fear during evacuations, exacerbated by power outages, loss of internet, and falling ash, and (2) persistent anxiety triggered by the sight or smell of smoke, due to the reminder of evacuations.

Discussion:

Among NWT youth, social-ecological factors and wildfire exposure were linked to increased eco-anxiety. Equity-focused mental health promotion can advance Northern youth wellbeing.

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