Performing at the Intersections: A Literature Review of Applied Theatre, Climate Change, and Their Impacts on Mental Health Among Indigenous Youth

Abstract

Introduction: Theatre is infrequently used as a method to research experiences of climate change and its mental health impacts among Indigenous youth. It is unclear, however, what the central qualities are that render theatre an appropriate or inappropriate medium to investigate the intersections of these three topics.Objectives: The primary objective of this literature review is to identify the strengths and challenges of using applied theatre as a method when discussing the effects of climate change and mental health among Indigenous youth.Methods: This review was guided by a narrative approach. Literature was identified using digital databases including PubMed, Elsevier, WorldCat, JSTOR, Project MUSE, ERIC, and Google Scholar. Articles were selected depending on their relevance and contributions to the discussion of the central topics. Inclusion was contingent on publication in a peer-reviewed journal and whether the articles discussed applied theatre, climate change, and mental health. A total of 17 articles were included in the final review, which were further analyzed to identify overlapping themes. It is worth noting that this narrative review is not a comprehensive review of research on Indigenous youth, mental health, and/or climate change. Rather, it is a focused investigation of the role of theatre in addressing the intersections of these subjects.Results: This literature review found that there are significant linkages between climate change and mental health. Three central strengths emerged from a review of existing projects that used applied theatre to discuss climate change or mental health with Indigenous youth. The exploratory nature of theatre, its flexible temporality, and its capacity-building qualities are all overarching themes that render theatre pertinent to discussing climate change and its consequent mental health impacts among Indigenous youth.Conclusion: The emergent findings are important when considering applied theatre as a medium to facilitate discussions. There are certain challenges that also arose, such as a lack of youth interest and a need to conduct theatre activities over longer periods of time.Keywords: Indigenous youth, mental wellness, climate change, applied theatre, arts-based approaches