Letters: Muted celebration of Earth Day, mental illness among youth

Issue of climate change waning with Hoosiers

This year, the celebration of Earth Day was very muted. I conclude that nearly every Hoosier accepts that climate change is real. I also conclude that we like climate change because winter weather is rare, summers have not included many days over 95 F, and we have not had drought since 2012. We are aware of the forest fires in California, Canada and Russia, but they are not here. The drought in Africa, along with the starvation, are not our problem.

A recent polling of Hoosiers revealed the most important issues: economy (jobs, inflation, taxes) – 33.6%; crime – 11.8%; threats to democracy – 11.6%; immigration – 10.7%; education – 8.3%; abortion access – 7.7%; healthcare – 7.3%; and housing affordability – 6.1%. Climate change didn’t even make the list. The world is burning fossil fuels at a greater rate than ever. Our attitude remains “drill baby drill.” Wind or solar, no thanks. We are confident we will be fine in 2030 when temperatures are 2C higher, and the Thwaites Glacier has crashed into the sea (ocean levels 2 feet higher). No seawater in Indiana!

Norman Holy, Bloomington

Actions can help youth affected by mental illness

Mental illness has become a prevalent issue in youth, affecting the education and connections of many young teens. Approximately 1 in 5 teens suffers from a mental condition. This can negatively affect education and increase the risks of poor academic achievement and incompletion of post-secondary education.

The human brain isn't fully developed until an individual turns 26, so when psychiatric disabilities affect the neurotransmission networks, it can affect the structure and function of the brain. The amygdala, the brain’s response system, creates neural wiring that leaves adolescents with a sense of attachment, disrupting peer connections. The quality of a person's life relies on their emotional and social well-being, particularly influenced by parental and peer relationships. Social and emotional networking initiated during the stages of life becomes the foundation for how an adolescent interacts with the world.

Positive early experiences will provide a strong foundation for adulthood, while negative experiences can result in poor long-term outcomes. Providing adequate treatment in schools and communities, recognizing and acknowledging these challenges, can create a welcoming environment where juveniles can feel safe and accepted, demonstrating the importance of support, care, and understanding and establishing strong, meaningful relationships.

Nelda Nyarko, Bloomington