This 11-year-old skipped school over climate anxiety. Here’s how they’re learning to cope

When Dennie Fornwald received a call at work one Friday morning that her 11-year-old hadn’t shown up to school, she was filled with dread. The Regina woman frantically searched for her child, with the school, friends, family, and eventually the police all joining in the search. After a nerve-wracking day, the police found her Grade 6 student, Kiké, outside the Saskatchewan legislature, handing out flyers about climate change.

Kiké, who uses they/them pronouns, had been feeling overwhelmed by climate anxiety, a feeling that is becoming increasingly common among young people. Their parents, Dennie Fornwald and Kris Dueck, were shocked to realize the extent of their child’s anxiety and used the incident as a teachable moment for the family.

Kiké’s passion for nature started at a young age, with a love for bird-watching and mushroom identification. Their interest in climate change was sparked at the age of nine when they realized the impact of human actions on the planet. The stress and worry about the future of the planet led to feelings of helplessness and anxiety.

To cope with their anxiety, Kiké found solace in taking action with others. They joined local environmental groups, collected signatures for petitions, and participated in projects related to climate change. Their involvement in the Cathedral Forest Project, planting trees in a nearby park, provided a sense of purpose and hope for the future.

Fornwald and Dueck have set boundaries to ensure Kiké’s safety, including restrictions on social media and attendance at protests only when school allows. They accompany Kiké to environmental meetings and provide support and guidance in their activism efforts.

Navigating Kiké’s anxiety journey has brought Fornwald and Dueck closer to their child. They have open and honest conversations about mental health, creating a stronger bond between them. Seeking professional help has taught Kiké important lessons in self-care, emphasizing the importance of taking care of oneself to continue making a positive impact on the world.

As parents, Fornwald and Dueck have learned valuable lessons from their child, becoming more mindful of their environmental impact and making changes to reduce waste and carbon emissions. They acknowledge that children can lead the way in caring for the planet, inspiring adults to follow their example.

Kiké’s advice to others feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world is simple: “You don’t have to take on the entire problem by yourself, just do what you can.” By caring for the earth and each other, Kiké and their family are finding hope and purpose in the face of climate anxiety.