Supporting Children’s Mental Health: Big Feelings and Climate Anxiety
By Eddie Flores, Youth Education Coordinator
Through my work with Brushwood Center, I see firsthand that students face a lot of unknowns, anxiety, and big fears about our world, especially climate change. The activities and resources in this year’s Nature Explorer Backpacks / Mochilas de Explorador strengthen students’ social emotional learning skills and give them tools to navigate big feelings.
Students will learn about “hidden gem” nature sites in Lake County that have healed through community care. Our goal is to give young people hope for our environmental future by showcasing examples of people coming together to care for and advocate for nature in their own communities. We are excited to highlight these places because they are lesser known but have really powerful stories! Featured locations include the Council Circle at Bowen Park, the Waukegan Dunes, and an over 100-year- old oak tree at one of our partner libraries. In addition, our Backpacks will include a parent packet with resources for adults, which will connect more families to the wonderful resources and groups around Lake County educating about environmental justice.
I myself experience feelings of climate anxiety. I see what’s happening around the world in terms of climate change, war, conflict, and injustices. I increasingly worry about what the future holds for us. As someone who lives in an environmental justice (EJ) community doing this type of work, I know how draining and tiring this work can be. It’s important to prioritize our mental health. Sharing mental health tools, resources, and techniques with youth is really important to me. We all need support systems.
Teaching about environmental justice issues and talking about the realities of what it’s like to live in these EJ communities has been personally really healing. Growing up I never received formal or informal education about the EJ issues in my community, and it’s so cool to be the person I wish I had while growing up and to bring awareness to these issues and how they affect our environment and health.
Recently, I guided students through a modeling activity exploring the impacts of pollution on water. We not only discussed the impacts to the immediate environment, but also what it meant for communities that may have contaminated air or water, the health of humans and animals, as well as the recreational beauty of nature around us. This activity and conversation is something that I would have loved to engage in during my childhood. Over the past several years I’ve been raising awareness about the environmental justice issues occurring in Northeastern Lake County through my work with Clean Power Lake County. It is rewarding to continue shining light on these issues and bringing awareness to a wider group of youth throughout Lake County.
It’s a huge honor and privilege that I get to be at the forefront, connecting with our youth who will be inheriting this land. If I can get even just a few kids to feel connected to the environment and start caring about it, then I’ll know I’ve made my impact. I feel proud to work with the next generation of leaders!
Support Health, Equity, and Nature Exploration this Summer!
Brushwood Center and our partners across Lake County are teaming up to provide 1,500 bilingual Nature Explorer Backpacks / Mochilas de Explorador as well as educational programs to youth and family members in Waukegan, North Chicago, Round Lake, Gurnee, and Highwood. You can help! Your donation to the Backpack Project provides families with tools for supporting physical and mental health, along with opportunities to explore Lake County’s parks, preserves, and other natural areas.
Donate here! $10 can provide art supplies for one Nature Explorer Backpack!
