The internal environment refers to a person’s own psychological factors that influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These factors include our personal traits, attitudes and values, emotional intelligence, motivation, self-esteem, and physical and mental health.

In my engagement with Laudato Youth and climate change issues as a teacher, I learned that we need to look at our internal environment in order to understand the external environment. As a publication editor for the prestigious Laudato Voices Magazine. I have read many narratives, which gave me a greater sense of what our young people feel about the climate change issue. I personally have concerns when I see what is happening. Today, I specifically want to talk about the connection between climate change and mental health.

For many, mental health encompasses a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It includes the presence of positive characteristics among people, such as self-awareness, resilience, health, and friendly relationships among friends and family. Now, this takes me to hint at SDG 16, which talks about building a peaceful and just world for all.

The reality is that peace and justice prevail among emotionally stable individuals. Climate change is one of the injustices that is creating a lot of anxiety among our young people. When climate change issues arise, young people lose lives, don’t attend classes, and are more concerned about their future. My role with Laudato Youth has been primarily to use creative writing, poetry, art, music, etc., to inspire young people to express themselves and talk to each other about how they feel about this whole issue. Together, we build resilience through Laudato Clubs by practicing the following therapeutic methods:

Mindfulness and meditation. I walk with my students and allow them to talk freely and interact with the environment every weekend, being mindful of their needs. During these walks, organized by most Laudato Clubs, we allow Laudato Youth to encounter reality, think, and meditate on what is happening to our common home, as stated in Laudato Si Chapter One. This approach has inspired the force for good that you see among our Laudato Clubs wherever they are. Besides enabling mindset change, it has inspired a great response to love for Mother Earth and united many young people for climate action.

Secondly, these activities help them build positive social connections against the forces of negative influences that empower our youth to fight against bad habits like drinking and smoking. Instead of meeting for such activities, they meet for climate action and reflect on Laudato Si to learn better ways of caring for creation. As you may know, the connections we make also contribute to our mental health; they influence us to take good actions if we choose the right ones.

I strongly believe that nature wasn’t called “Mother” for any other reason but because it brings us together, gives us good health, provides us energy, and so on. When we interact with nature, our thoughts are calm, and our mental state is relaxed. I have seen this as a great gift that Laudato Youth offers to our young people in East Africa today.

We engage in hobbies like gardening, community clean-ups, nature walks, and other eco-friendly activities that promote a greener environment while also helping to build our mental health. Hobbies like singing, reading novels, swimming, and gardening or pruning and planting flowers can really help us forget our worries and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.

Lastly, we encourage our young people to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Our bodies go hand in hand with our mental state. By engaging in activities like running and eating natural foods and fruits, we reduce the risks of getting diseases that cause stress. This explains our involvement in indigenous and fruit tree planting.

Join us in amplifying voices for creation through our Laudato Voices Magazine and United Young People for Climate Action in Laudato Clubs. If our work has inspired you, I encourage you to look out for our wisdom-filled online magazine that features very unique stories by Laudato Youth and its mentors.

Keep in mind that loneliness is both physical and mental. As a teacher, I always like to create a bond with my students through creative skill-building and activities like play, laughter, artwork, and school gardening. These activities create a good environment for them to open up in case of any life issue that may be affecting my students. I think even parents can do the same.

Laudato Youth Initiative: United for Climate Action. Let’s work together to reduce the deserts within our hearts. God bless you.

AUTHOR: IMMACULATE KISEMBO.