The Impact of Climate Change on Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health.

Climate change affects the mental and behavioral health of children, requiring preparation and response from clinicians. This article provides an overview of the varying impacts of climate on pediatric mental and behavioral health including heat and air pollution influences on development and violence, extreme weather event disruptions and de novo mental health conditions, and emotional responses to climate change: ecoanxiety and solastalgia. We emphasize how minoritized populations often experience increased effects of climate change, including mental health effects, due to historic structural disparities. Clinical adaptations include implementation of routine screenings, clinical familiarity with existing community resources, and participation in advocacy.