Rural youth plays a pivotal role at the intersection of climate action and mental health advocacy, particularly in a digitally connected India. Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be aware of rapid spread of misinformation, fear, and stigma. Capacity building is essential for equipping youth with accurate, verified, and positive information, while guiding them towards credible platforms for dissemination, said Dr Chiranjeev Bhattacharjya, Programme Analyst UNDP.
The expert was responding to a question by the Yuva Sustainability Intern on how rural youth can become agents of climate action and mental health advocacy, during 4th Yuva Sustainability Webinar on Mental Health in Climate Crisis: A Call to Speak Up.
Sabyasachi Senapati, a 2nd year Chemisty student at SCS Autonomous College, Puri is a Yuva Sustainability Intern.