Debate: If not us, then who?

Abstract

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists have stressful jobs and huge caseloads, and are ideally placed to play an influential and meaningful role in responding to 'the biggest global health threat of the 21st Century': the eco-crisis. This article describes how a group of child and adolescent psychiatrists responded to the awareness that the impacts of the eco-crisis will increasingly undermine their daily work in the clinic. The article lists the progress this small group of committed individuals have made in raising awareness of the issues and what steps they have taken to guide and support other practitioners who want to play their part. Their future plans are set out with an invitation to join the crucial endeavour.