The Problem: Understanding Climate Anxiety in Youth
Climate anxiety—also referred to as eco-anxiety, climate grief, or ecological distress—has emerged as a significant mental health concern, particularly among young people. According to the Handbook of Climate Psychology published by the Climate Psychology Alliance (2023), it can be described as “heightened emotional, mental, or somatic distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system.” Unlike a clinical disorder, the handbook emphasizes that climate anxiety represents a rational response to the genuine threats posed by climate change.
Recent research reveals the scope of this growing phenomenon:
- A global survey of 10,000 youth (ages 16-24) found that 59% reported feeling “very” or “extremely” worried about climate change (Marks et al., 2021)
- Over 45% said this worry interferes with their daily functioning (Marks et al., 2021)
- 75% described the future as “frightening” and 56% believed “humanity is doomed” (Marks et al., 2021)
- Strong correlations exist between distress and perceived inadequate government response (Marks et al., 2021)
Young people appear particularly vulnerable for several reasons:
- Developmental vulnerability: Their nervous systems and coping mechanisms are still developing
- Intergenerational inequality: They face disproportionate future impacts while having minimal responsibility for causing the crisis
- Limited agency: They often lack political power or resources to influence policy decisions
- Dismissal of concerns: Many report feeling ignored or belittled when expressing climate worries
As mental health professionals, it’s crucial to understand that these emotions exist on a spectrum from mild concern to severe distress that significantly impairs functioning.
The Solution: Evidence-Based Approaches
The Handbook of Climate Psychology (Climate Psychology Alliance, 2023) and other recent research identify several core components that show promise for addressing climate anxiety:
1. Acknowledgment and Validation
Youth often report their climate concerns being dismissed or minimized. Creating space for legitimate emotional responses without pathologizing them is essential. The Climate Psychology Alliance’s handbook (2023) notes that this includes recognizing that:
- These emotions reflect appropriate responses to real threats
- Worry can serve as constructive motivation for action
- Feelings should be normalized rather than treated as disorders
2. Containment
The Climate Psychology Alliance handbook (2023) emphasizes “containment” as crucial—creating psychological space where difficult emotions can be processed rather than avoided. This includes:
- Balanced support and challenge
- Recognition of the person’s feelings and dilemmas
- Interest and curiosity about their experience
- Community and social reinforcement
As explained in the handbook: “When we really come out of a state of denial about climate change, the reality of the disaster that we are now facing may feel overwhelming and we slip straight from denial to despair. To avoid this, we need to find ways of processing this experience, of working it through…” (Climate Psychology Alliance, 2023, p. 17).
3. Emotional Coping Tools
Several specific techniques show promise:
- Reframing: The handbook suggests shifting from “eco-anxiety” to “eco-compassion” or “eco-empathy” to emphasize that distress stems from caring deeply
- Meaning-focused coping: Finding purpose and positive emotions alongside difficult ones
- Mindfulness practices: Developing present-moment awareness to reduce rumination
4. Social Connection
Research by Sarah Lowe at Yale found that collective action serves as a buffer against climate anxiety’s mental health impacts (Yale Sustainability, 2023). The Climate Psychology Alliance (2023) notes that groups provide:
- Validation that others share similar concerns
- Opportunities for agency through shared action
- Collective resilience and mutual support
5. Connecting with Nature
The Handbook of Climate Psychology discusses how time in natural settings and developing a sense of environmental identity can promote wellbeing (Climate Psychology Alliance, 2023), though practitioners should consider:
- Potential complexities around nature connection for some communities
- Historical trauma associated with natural spaces for some BIPOC individuals
- Opportunities for nature exposure that feel culturally resonant
6. Climate Action
Engagement in constructive climate action—particularly collective rather than individual—appears especially effective in reducing climate anxiety’s mental health impacts by:
- Fostering agency and empowerment
- Creating social bonds
- Converting distress into meaningful activity
The Role of Mental Health Professionals
Mental health practitioners play several crucial roles in addressing climate anxiety:
1. Assessment and Differentiation
The Handbook of Climate Psychology (Climate Psychology Alliance, 2023) identifies various levels of climate distress, from mild to severe:
- Mild: Transient upset that resolves easily with reassurance; optimism that solutions will be found
- Medium: More frequent distress but not preoccupying; maintains fundamentally optimistic outlook
- Significant: Daily distress; limited faith in solutions; feelings of guilt and betrayal
- Severe: Significant impairment with intrusive thoughts, sleep disruption, inability to enjoy life
Practitioners must distinguish between constructive concern and debilitating anxiety while avoiding pathologizing legitimate emotional responses.
2. Providing Containing Relationships
The handbook suggests clinicians can serve as “containers” for difficult emotions by:
- Creating safe spaces for exploring climate feelings without judgment
- Helping clients process grief, anger, and fear
- Supporting integration of emotional experiences
3. Facilitating Resilience
Effective interventions focus not on eliminating distress but building resilience through:
- Expanding one’s “zone of resilience” or window of tolerance
- Developing coping strategies for overwhelming emotions
- Supporting healthy processing and integration of difficult feelings
4. Cultural Sensitivity
When working with diverse populations, practitioners should:
- Recognize intersections between climate concerns and other justice issues
- Adapt terminology and approaches to be culturally resonant
- Address compounding effects of environmental racism
- Acknowledge historical and intergenerational trauma
Conclusion
Climate anxiety represents a complex challenge requiring nuanced clinical responses. By recognizing its legitimacy, understanding its manifestations, and employing evidence-informed interventions, mental health professionals can support young people in developing resilience while validating their concerns.
Rather than pathologizing these emotions, clinicians can help youth harness them for constructive purpose while maintaining their wellbeing. As the Climate Psychology Alliance’s handbook (2023) notes: “The goal of interventions should not be to eliminate negative emotions, but rather to facilitate healthy processing of emotions, reduce stress and functional impairment, and foster resilience.”
By expanding our clinical frameworks to incorporate climate psychology, we not only better serve our clients but also contribute to broader societal adaptation to our changing world.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). APA Public Opinion Poll – Annual Meeting 2020.
Climate Psychology Alliance. (2023). Handbook of climate psychology. Retrieved from https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/images/files/handbookofclimatepsychology.pdf
Clayton, S., & Karazsia, B. T. (2020). Development and validation of a measure of climate change anxiety. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 69, 101434.
Hickman, C. (2020). We need to (find a way to) talk about… eco-anxiety. Journal of Social Work Practice, 34(4), 411-424.
Marks, E., Hickman, C., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, E. R., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., & van Susteren, L. (2021). Young people’s voices on climate anxiety, government betrayal and moral injury: A global phenomenon. Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12).
See Change Institute. (2021). Climate Change and Youth Mental Health: Psychological Impacts, Resilience Resources, and Future Directions.
Yale Sustainability. (2023). Yale Experts Explain Climate Anxiety. Retrieved from https://sustainability.yale.edu/explainers/yale-experts-explain-climate-anxiety