Eco-anxiety: The effect of climate crisis on mental health
1. What is eco-anxiety?
Eco-anxiety (climate anxiety) is the distress caused by climate change where people are becoming anxious about their future. It often shows up as constant worry, sadness, or even guilt about environmental destruction. For some, it also brings physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath, and it can interfere with daily life, school, or relationships.
Is eco-anxiety a mental illness?
Eco-anxiety is rational. It is our 'internal alarm bell' telling us something is wrong. A response like this to the possibility of a sixth mass extinction event is more than reasonable.
Climate anxiety is not considered a diagnosable condition, but mental health experts recognise that climate change can trigger a psychological response.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Organization (APO) officially recognize eco-anxiety as a real mental health concern.
2. How does eco-anxiety feel?
Have you ever thought about what eco-anxiety feels like?
Even though it’s not a diagnosed mental health disorder, eco-anxiety can feel much like other anxiety disorders.
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Obsessive or ruminating thoughts about the state of the planet
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Feelings of overwhelming anxiety, depression, or panic
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Guilt or shame over our own contributions toward the climate crisis
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Anger, frustration, or even grief over destruction of natural environments and habitats or those who deny the climate crisis
3. Why the youth is mostly affected
An article in Time notes that many young people experience "eco-anxiety," a persistent fear about how climate change will shape their futures. Surveys report high levels of stress, depression, and even feelings of helplessness. Experts explain that anxiety is a natural reaction to a real threat, which can affect sleep, schoolwork, and relationships.
Young people’s anxiety isn’t abstract, yet it comes from lived experience.
Repeated wildfires, floods, and heatwaves disrupt homes, schools, and communities, creating real danger and instability.
Surveys have indicated that young people often experience more fear, sadness and anger regarding climate change than their older counterparts, as well as an increased sense of unhelpfulness or hopelessness.
This brings a deep sense of uncertainty and despair while it creates questions like “Will my future be safe?”
Daily routines and feelings of safety are interrupted, which can lead to ongoing stress, sadness, and even trauma, especially when they see governments moving too slowly to act disappointing the youth.
In a global survey of 10,000 young people (ages 16–25) across 10 countries, 59% said they were very or extremely worried about climate change. Meanwhile, more than 45% said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning.
4. The impact on mental health
Extreme weather events and mental health
Climate change is leading to more frequent and extreme weather events such as floods and storms. People living through these can be exposed to potentially traumatic events such as witnessing serious injury or death. As a result, many people will experience higher levels of psychological distress which may develop more serious mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.
Extreme weather events can also have impacts on some of the social and economic sectors of mental health by leading to unemployment, homelessness, or food and water insecurity.
Heat and mental health
Climate change is causing temperatures around the world to rise, which can have a variety of detrimental impacts on mental health. For example, hospitalisations for psychiatric disorders and emergency psychiatric visits tend to increase during heatwaves. Rates of suicides have also been shown to be higher at this time and are expected to increase with rising temperatures.
Air pollution and mental health
Climate change and increasing temperatures have been shown to increase levels of allergens and pollutants present in the air, leading to worsened air quality.
Emerging evidence suggests that poor air quality can negatively impact mental health, in particular depression and anxiety. A study from the Lancet planetary health among all people aged over 65 years enrolled in Medicare in the US showed that short-term exposure to pollutants was associated with higher risk of acute hospital admission for psychiatric disorders.
5. Positive stories from inspiring people
Even in the face of climate anxiety, inspiring stories of action and hope show that change is possible. Young people are finding ways to practice hope in a world that often feels hopeless.
Emilie, a 26-year-old climate activist from France, admits that thinking about the climate crisis can bring up feelings of frustration, guilt, and worry. “I often feel powerless and angry at decision-makers for not taking enough effective action,” she says. She even experiences eco-anxiety during extreme climate events in the news or after elections that lack urgency on environmental issues.
Yet, Emilie has found ways to cope and maintain hope. She relies on her friends who understand her and spends time in nature to help manage anxiety. Most importantly, she draws optimism from the younger generation: “I find hope in working with young people who are so determined, passionate, and resourceful. They motivate me to keep going and remind me that positive change is still possible.”
Hasmik is an Environmental Specialist from Armenia. When thinking about the climate crisis, he feels a mix of urgency and frustration. He has mentioned that eco-anxiety is something he has felt especially on hot summers in Yerevan. However, Hasmik always seeks ways to cope with these feelings. Once, he led a training session as a facilitator, guiding participants to imagine hopeful and thriving futures for nature. Together, they designed community projects focused on restoring ecosystems and promoting sustainability.
He finds hope in his climate work through the creativity of young people. Their energy and innovative ideas inspire him, reminding him that the future is in capable hands. He believes that empowering youth for positive futures and giving them the tools to create change offers a sense of purpose.
Inspired by these stories, here is my own experience of finding hope…
I’m Melina, 15 years old, from Greece. Climate change affects my country deeply, and I feel it every summer. Summers in the city have become extremely difficult over the years and temperatures can reach up to 43°C, making it hard to go outside, stay in the house without air conditioning, or even sleep.
Thinking about the climate crisis that prevails, often brings negative feelings and a sense of deception. Over time, I’ve learned ways to cope with anxiety and stress. Calling close friends and family, even if they live far away, gives me optimism. Every conversation reminds me that change is possible, giving me energy and hope to keep trying to make a difference in our world.
6. Tips for coping with eco-anxiety
Here are some tips to cope with eco-anxiety:
1. Remember that you are not alone
Eco-anxiety is a perfectly normal response to the threat of climate change. It’s important to know that you are not alone. Remember that there are a lot of people working to solve this issue and positive change can and will happen.
It’s important to acknowledge that people already have the solutions they need to solve the climate crisis. Focus on that and remind yourself that WE can fix this!
2. Acknowledging & investigating your emotions
It is not easy to navigate your feelings or try to bury them. Emotions that arise in response to the climate crisis can be uncomfortable and overwhelming, but you don't need to 'fix' them.
Allow your emotions to be present without changing them. Try an anxiety meditation to help you with this.
Write down all your climate-related worries, and consider what emotions (fear, sadness, anger) you can attribute to each one. This can help you meet your emotions with more self-compassion.
3. Talk it out
Our relationships and conversations with friends and family have a powerful effect in assisting us face and cope with our problems.
Surround yourself with people you can share your feelings with. Share concerns, thoughts and feelings about climate change with trusted friends and family.
If you don’t feel like talking with someone you know, try talking to a professional or join a community dedicated to climate change.
Force of Nature is an organization that launched climate cafes, spaces to have open conversations about the climate crisis and how it makes people feel. Right now, there are over 969 climate cafes in 49 countries around the world!
Also, since 2021 a new platform was created called talkwithzack. Teens can have conversations with Zack about the climate crisis and ask him about anything that is concerning the youth!
For teens looking to share their feelings or get wise advice this site offers a supportive community.
4. Take a media break
Following climate-driven accounts or scrolling through social and news posts about climate change all the time can exacerbate feelings of distress.
What you can do:
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Make a conscious effort to avoid consuming news for a 24-hour period
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Take a mental health day to yourself to indulge in the activities you love
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Catch up with loved ones (without bringing up the subject of climate change).
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Spend time in nature by walking, bird watching or do other outdoor activities
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Take care of yourself and your well-being
Cover photo: School children hold placards and shout slogans as they participate in a protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland. Inspired by Greta Thunberg, the Sweden activist who started skipping school at 16 to protest, school and university students worldwide have followed her lead and shared her anger.
