New toolbox to help youth address climate anxiety

03.10.2024

As both emissions of greenhouse gases and the impacts of climate change continue to rise, so do concerns about the ramifications on mental health. “Climate anxiety” – sometimes called eco-anxiety, eco-grief or climate doom – is receiving growing attention among researchers and professionals in mental health and public health fields. The phenomenon, defined by the American Psychological Assocation as  a “chronic fear of environmental doom”, is emerging as a source of mental stress and anguish worldwide.

Concerns are particularly pronounced  about the impacts of climate change on the mental health of young people, who represent the generation that will have to deal with the damage that lies ahead. Many young people are worried and angry about the lack of action at levels needed to halt global temperature rise, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. Research in The Lancet Planetary Health, for example, has shown that “the future is frightening” for 75% of children and young people (ages 16 to 25), and that mental health professionals need tools to help support people with climate anxiety.

Against this backdrop, weADAPT has created a climate anxiety toolbox,  a collection of links to resources – all free – that seek to help with these issues. The contents toolbox includes ways to find articles, courses, and online forums that give people opportunities to discuss their feelings on concerns about climate change and the environment.

To learn more about the Toolbox click HERE