Editing Julia G.

'''Mental Health Crisis Emerges Among the Dome Generation'''

''Dome City, Year 2152''

In the tightly controlled environment of the dome that has sheltered human life from the climate crisis and Great Flooding of 2104, a different catastrophe is developing.  There has been a recent focus on concerning trends of the mental health of the younger generation raised entirely in the dome.  This report aims to analyze and shed light on the growing mental health concerns in this generation and possible causes.  

	Living in these domes, the tech companies have taken over society and the way of life with the use of virtual reality (VR) for daily basic life tasks.  This technology is the new power over civilization and the natural world as we know it are distant memories.  Everyone faced new challenges when the domes were first created, especially the climate refugees who first migrated to the domes, but our children and adolescents face unique challenges having their whole lives in this society.  The lack of exposure to the natural world, limited physical movement, and isolation from others beyond their virtual screens has taken an unimaginable toll on their mental health.
	Interviews were conducted with several families who are residents in Dome City and there was a common sentiment of anxiety about their children’s psychological and developmental well-being.  One concerned parent, Maria Prue, expressed “Our children have never seen nature’s beauty.  They have only grown up to know the concrete walls of our buildings and a made-up world through their screens.  They are disconnected from the real world, and from us as a family.”  This common feeling of alarm is shared by many parents of school-aged children, especially concerning their emotional, physical, and psychological development.  Parents do not believe their children will grow up with proper social skills or any academic knowledge or expertise.

	Experts in psychology and mental health are advocating for immediate remedies before this crisis gets out of hand.  Dr. Juno Dagr, a registered psychotherapist, expressed “The current mental health crisis among youth should be the focus of all agencies right now.  We are witnessing all-time high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, dissociation, and body dysmorphia among our children and adolescents.  Our current way of living is the breeding ground for these issues, and we must turn our research into thinking about changing how we live in the dome.  Social interaction and physical movement are necessary if we want to avert this major crisis.”

	In an attempt to understand these concerns, current research, and potential solutions, we reached out to tech companies that design and maintain the technology required for life in the dome.  Representatives from BigTech, one of the pioneering tech companies of the dome, emphasized the complexity of the situation.  “Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the dome.  We are still trying to navigate life within the dome with such a big population in a small, enclosed space and are focused on balancing environmental safety with the mental health of residents.  The limited space inside the dome poses significant challenges,” stated CEO, Maura Orrin.  

	In response to the growing mental health concerns, Dome City’s governing body has announced plans to allocate resources and research towards mental health initiatives.  They announced the collaboration between psychologists, tech companies, and environmentalists, to explore creative solutions to improve the mental well-being of dome residents.  Government representative, Ava Caprice, stated “The government will allocate 40% more of our resources towards mental health campaigns starting next month.  There will be an increase in mental health professionals available through VR spaces that will be easily accessible by all residents.  Counselling services, coping mechanisms, and other support will be provided to address these challenges faced by residents.  Additionally, schools will have increased support and counselling services available to all students at any time of day.  We will continue to work with experts to improve our support.”

	As the discussion on mental health within the dome gains interest and support, it is important for society to prioritize the well-being of the generations born into these enclosures.  This struggle calls for collective action and a reassessment of negotiations of survival and mental health, as we come to the end of the world as we know it.  

Flora Halin, Author
 Dome City News