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UWI Takes on Mental Health Challenges: Probing COVID-19 & Climate Change's Impact on Youth

For Release Upon Receipt - March 5, 2024

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, March 5, 2024 – The lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, have provided researchers with a unique opportunity to delve deeper into understanding the intricacies of the human condition, particularly focusing on mental health, especially among youth. In a recently published article in the Nature Mental Health Journal titled "Exploratory Empirical Model of Combined Effects of COVID-19 And Climate Change on Youth Mental Health," Director of the Caribbean Centre for Health, Systems Research and Development and Dr. Sandeep Maharaj, Director of the  School of Pharmacy and also Principal investigator for this project at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus alongside collaborative authors, examined the intersection of the pandemic and climate change on youth mental health.

 The UWI has long been recognized for its dedication to research, especially in areas that directly impact the Caribbean and wider global community. This research, which was generously funded by The UWI, underscores the institution's commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges. To that end, this research sheds light on the complex dynamics at play, particularly highlighting the direct correlation between anxiety and climate distress, exacerbated by the interference of COVID-19. Interestingly, the study emphasizes the phenomenon of 'fear-learning,' wherein individuals become more prone to perceiving and preparing for potential threats or fearful events, a consequence of prolonged exposure to traumatic events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the distress induced by climate change, and identifies the heightened susceptibility of individuals to fear and anxiety. Moreover, the emphasis on finding innovative prevention strategies for mental health challenges is particularly noteworthy.

 Acknowledging the importance of collaborative efforts, this study involved contributions from collaborators from McGill University, arising directly from the Queen Elizabeth Scholar programme. Additionally, the project received invaluable collaboration from the Faculty of Medical Science at The UWI Cave Hill Campus, University of Guyana, George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, PAHO (The Pan American Health Organization), Imperial College London, and The Caribbean College of Family Physicians.

 The UWI places immense importance on research as a cornerstone of its mission to foster academic excellence, influence policy, support communities and contribute to global efforts to solve pressing challenges. Studies such as this one exemplify The UWI's commitment to research that not only advances knowledge but also has a real-world impact, particularly in addressing the mental health challenges faced by its student population and the broader society. To read or download the full article published on February 9 2024, please click the following link https://rdcu.be/dyg1K

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About The University of the West Indies

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development, residing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

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