Washington University expert links family resilience to child protection from climate change

Mary McKay, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis and expert in child mental health, suggests that strengthening family resilience is critical to protecting children from the impacts of climate change. In a paper titled ‘Strengthening Child and Family Resilience in the Context of Climate Change: A Call to Action,’ published in the journal Global Social Welfare, McKay and her co-authors argue that preparing families before disasters occur can mitigate the negative effects on children.

Climate change can trigger extreme weather, drought, and heat, which contribute to food insecurity, financial hardship, displacement, and social instability. These factors can simultaneously disrupt a child's support systems, including homes, schools, and communities, increasing their vulnerability to poor mental health outcomes. To address these risks, the research suggests that policies should prioritize providing emergency resources, restoring institutions quickly, and implementing prevention programs for vulnerable families.