5 pages, 12pt, Times New Roman
· For Citations: If you are citing course readings, please use in text citations only (no
references page needed), MLA, APA, or ASA format is fine, just choose one and be
consistent.
Per our plagiarism policy, you cannot use AI tech to complete the assignment. I will be checking for AI generated answers, please keep this in mind!
In the space below, answer the following short essay questions completely (be sure to answer all components of each question). Be as concise as possible; this is not a brain dump, your answers should reflect some critical thinking.
First, watch this news report (~5 min) about how climate change is impacting the mental health of youth in Florida. Then answer the following questions.
· WPLG Local 10. May 3, 2023. “Young students suffering from climate anxiety continue
fighting for their future.” Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qWoDf8EwEY
Question 1:
Why are sociological approaches to the study of mental health different than
psychological/psychiatric approaches? Be specific about what the focus of the sociology of mental health is. Now, consider the news report you just watched on how climate change is impacting the mental health of youth today. Based on what you learned, what are some social factors that shape the impacts of the climate crisis on mental health?
Question 2:
The video news report discusses how ecoanxiety is a growing issue and can even be a
recognized diagnosis. Technically, climate anxiety hasn’t been added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM), at least not yet. But the American Psychological Association has included ecoanxiety in recent guides on climate and mental health, reflecting the increasing medicalization of the psychological impacts of climate change. What is medicalization (in regards to mental health)? What are some of the potential benefits that might come from adding climate anxiety to the DSM? What are some potential risks/costs of medicalization?
Question 3:
In class, we have talked about intersectionality, or the interconnected nature of social categorizations that contribute to unique vulnerabilities for certain populations. Consider the factor age. Why might youth, like those featured in this video news report, be particularly at risk for mental health impacts from climate change? (Bonus for considering how age complicates autonomy among this demographic group!)
Now, read this article about mental health in response to global warming in Australia, and then answer the following questions.
· Georgina Kenyon, Mosaic. 2019. “‘If the land is sick, you are sick’: An Aboriginal approac to mental health in times of drought.” Mosaic, April 28. Available to read here: https://scroll.in/pulse/921558/if-the-land-is-sick-you-are-sick-an-aboriginal-approach to-mental-health-in-times-of-drought
Question 4:
Consider the news video from WPLG Local 10 (2023) you just watched AND the article by Georgina Kenyon (2019) you just read. How does each of these reports demonstrate the importance and power of healing trauma through storytelling? Be sure to cite BOTH sources, with specific examples from each! How are decolonial approaches to mental health different than dominant psychological/psychiatric approaches? Why might both the climate resiliency youth camp and the “We-Yarn” workshops be examples of decolonial approaches to healing mental disorder?