Page 70 - IJPS-10-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Climate change and mental health of adolescents

opportunity for anyone to move around or seek relief. All their education after the flood. The lack of space for
these factors, along with others, such as the loss of a loved movement further exacerbated the situation. Due to
one, contributed to an increase in mental health problems. the challenges, the unavailability of resources remained
The severe socioeconomic impacts and the heightened a major issue as it was not only the poor who relied on
mental stress that resulted from the flood contributed to humanitarian aid for sustenance. The overall environment
the deterioration of the problem. of the shelters was harsh, which led to a rise in adolescent
Our research revealed that a significant proportion depression, as shown in Table 2.
of boys and girls experienced PTSD and depression. Some of the responses of participants battling with
Specifically, approximately 60.72% of boys and 71.42% of depression are listed below:
girls were affected by PTSD, while 80% of girls and 84% of 17-year-old Tahir said:
boys suffered from depression. “We were a well-to-do family with a beautiful house.

3.1. Post-traumatic stress disorder Our beautiful house could not shelter us from the
flood. It drowned completely. We never thought this
The destruction caused by water can be witnessed firsthand, would happen, and that the water would rise so high.
leaving a deep emotional impact on those who experience I feel that we have ‘run out of gas,’ emotionally.”
it. In many instances, floods have taken away people’s
beloved pets, adding to the emotional toll. In addition, the 16-year-old Jumon said:
loss of loved ones due to such disasters can be particularly “We never asked anyone for help. However, this flood
distressing. It is the major contributor to post-traumatic destroyed all the values. We have to eat relief foods.
stress disorder, and our research revealed that girls were However, we were able to relieve ourselves. Now I feel
more prone to PTSD than boys (Table 1). very depressed. I can’t accept what was happening
around me.”
The participants reported experiencing symptoms of
PTSD due to stress associated with their current living 14-year-old Emon said:
conditions. Moreover, they expressed feelings of trauma “I am studying in class seven. Currently, the school is
and fear. closed. There is flood water everywhere in the house.
So, we’re in the shelter. Everyone comes from different
14-year-old Tarifa said: backgrounds and families. There are a lot of problems
“There was very little water in the evening. We fell every day. Quarrels are regular issues here. I am going
asleep in our room. Everyone got up after the bed through a strange time. I think it would have been
got wet at night. We don’t have a boat of our own. better if I had died.”
Hence, everyone spent the night sitting on the roof
of the house. Grandmother died of wet pneumonia According to the data, girls were facing more problems
in the rain. There was a lot of trouble in burying her and demonstrated higher levels of depression compared to
body. Grandma could not be buried next to our house. boys. The environment of the flood shelter was particularly
harsh for the girls.
I can’t sleep well at night now. Suddenly, I woke up.
I have nightmares. I dream of drowning. Then, I woke 15-year-old girl, Bushra mentioned:
up screaming.” “The girls have the most problems here. Girls need a
little privacy in everything. However, everyone has to
16-year-old Yunus said:
“As the flood waters began to penetrate the home,
we quickly packed up our belongings and fled to the Table 1. Percentage of PTSD according to gender
upper floors of a nearby grocery store. The home Gender Total Yes, N (%) No, N (%)
disappeared under flood waves. Everything else in the Male 28 17 (60.72) 11 (39.28)
home has also disappeared. I saw everything washed Female 25 20 (80) 5 (20)
away. My father now has paralysis. Everybody is at
grave risk. And I’m having nightmares every day, can’t
sleep well.” Table 2. Percentage of depression according to gender

3.2. Depression Gender Number of respondents
Total Yes/N (%) No/N (%)
The living conditions in the shelters were not conducive
to good health, as there was a lack of recreational and Male 28 20 (71.42) 8 (28.58)
amusement opportunities. Moreover, students abandoned Female 25 21 (84) 4 (16)

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 64 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0339