Jennifer Atkinson co-authors paper on climate change and youth mental health in PLOS Climate

Working with colleagues at UW Seattle and King County Public Health, Dr. Jennifer Atkinson published An Expert-Informed Framework for Promoting Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health and Well-being Amidst Climate Change in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) journal. Their study synthesizes insights from professionals in public health, education, and clinical and community sectors to offer an actionable framework for supporting youth mental health in the face of climate change.

The research team, led by Sonya Jampel & Jessica Acolin and including Jennifer Atkinson, Daniel Borck, Heather Meader, McKenna Parnes, and Bradley Kramer, drew on qualitative focus groups with professionals working directly with youth. The published work emphasizes realistic hope, equitable resource allocation, centering most-impacted populations, and addressing climate distress as a systemic public health issue rather than an individual pathology. The aim is to offer clear guidance for cross-disciplinary climate and mental health action.

PLOS Climate is an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal launched by the Public Library of Science to publish rigorous research on climate change. It covers interdisciplinary topics including climate science, impacts, mitigation, policy, and solutions, aiming to inform global action. All published research is freely available to promote transparent and equitable sharing of knowledge.