Ten 20-30 minute sessions delivered through an online chatbot using computers, tablets, or smartphones with a trained non-specialist providing motivation and support.
Youth
The prevalence of mental health issues among young people has significantly increased over the past decade. This is particularly concerning as this period coincides with rapid social, emotional, and cognitive development, along with critical life transitions.
Youth and socio-economic adversity
Intervention to be studied
Youth and Climate Change
As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the mental health of the youth is emerging as a significant and pressing concern. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation not only pose tangible threats but also exert a profound toll on the psychological well-being of young individuals.
The uncertainty and anxiety associated with a changing climate, coupled with the realization of a future shaped by environmental challenges, contribute to heightened stress levels among the youth. Witnessing the immediate and long-term consequences of ecological shifts, such as natural disasters and resource scarcity, can lead to feelings of fear, anger, grief, and a sense of powerlessness.
To address this, ADVANCE will conduct a hybrid efficacy-effectiveness RCT of EMIcompass (or "CliMACT" in this project) with youth (12–25 years) affected by climate change in Germany.
Recent extreme weather event in Germany have shown a negative impact on mental health, especially in children and adolescents. In July 2021, Germany was dramatically hit by deadly floods, which left a trail of destruction with total cost of damage estimated to more than €30 billion. Currently, the local population is still facing challenges including temporary infrastructure (e.g., schools), and lack of access to government support. In addition, representative studies in Germany have shown that 65% of young people report negative emotions in relation to climate change, and in 26% these were also related to a decrease in mental health. As such, climate distress concerns also a broader target group among young people and can be viewed as a mental health risk.