Teen Vogue

‘How climate activism improved my mental health’

“It began five years ago in the 5th grade, when I was diagnosed with clinical depression—a diagnosis that no one, especially a young child is keen to hear. Things hadn’t always been this way, but the diagnosis made sense. I was experiencing a hopeless sense of loneliness, lack of motivation, and a deepening sadness that not only affected me, but also the people around me. I was even experiencing suicidal ideation. Now, I’m a freshman in high school and completely unrecognizable from that sad, lonely girl. I’m hopeful about life again, and I have activism to thank. In fact, I think it saved me.”