Climate Anxiety in a Young Population at Risk of Suicide

Plain-language summary

Background Climate change has become a major source of concern, particularly among younger generations who are facing the progressive degradation of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and alarming environmental information disseminated through the media. The direct perception of climate-related disruptions has been shown to engender a profound sense of helplessness and loss. This distress, termed eco-anxiety, is characterised by feelings of fear, sadness and guilt regarding the planet's future. In a context where there has been a marked increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts among young people over the past decade, it is essential to explore the psychological manifestations of eco-anxiety within this vulnerable population. The paucity of studies investigating this association underscores the significance of the present research. Principal objective The present study aims to examine the relationship between climate anxiety and suicidal risk among young people aged 16 to 24 years. Methods This observational, cross-sectional, and multicentre study will be conducted at the Esquirol Hospital Center and the Mother and Child Hospital of Limoges, as well as at the Departmental Hospital Center La Candélie in Agen. The study will encompass 108 young participants aged between 16 and 24 years, who are either hospitalised or receiving outpatient psychiatric care. Each participant will be required to complete one clinician-administered assessment, namely the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and two self-report questionnaires: the Climate Change Anxiety Scale - French version (CCAS-FR) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Furthermore, a sociodemographic questionnaire will be administered in order to collect information regarding the subjects' age, sex, education level, living conditions, and psychiatric history. Perspectives It is hypothesised that there is a positive association between climate anxiety and suicidal risk, with the most eco-anxious participants showing higher C-SSRS scores. It is further predicted that eco-anxiety will correlate with elevated levels of state and trait anxiety, with the potential for modulating this relationship by sociodemographic factors, including gender. Expected benefits This study will contribute to a better understanding of the psychological impacts of climate change on young people and help identify the most vulnerable profiles. The findings could support suicide prevention strategies, guide the development of specific therapeutic tools for eco-anxious youth, and foster future longitudinal research on the evolution of these conditions and their comorbidities

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