As we see and feel the changes within our climate, our natural landscape as well as all of the earth’s inhabitants are affected. We, as human beings, not only feel these effects physically but mentally. We have valid concerns about our livelihood, our loved ones, and future generations. There are now several mental health-related terms involving the climate that many of us may be experiencing. While things may seem bleak, there is always something that can be done to care for the mental health of ourselves and those around us.

As the world changes, so too do our lifestyles. If you’re feeling anxious or depressed about these quickly occurring changes, you’re not alone. Anxiety often results from a fear of what’s to come, and many of us may be anticipating future losses of aspects of our planet. As we collectively experienced with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with sudden change often comes grief. Many of us found ourselves longing for the lifestyles that were lost to us in the before-times. Climate grief can be similar to that feeling, as our lives are shifting in ways that can bring fear, distress, or unknowing. Climate grief or ecological grief also has to do with the literal “loss (or anticipated loss) of something we value in our local or global environment,” such as a loss of species, ecosystems, and landscapes that hold meaning to us.1  Seasonal depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is depression that occurs in the winter (and more rarely, in the summer). As freezing temperatures are intensified, people will be forced to stay indoors longer, and more people may be affected by SAD.2

Those who have experienced climate disasters are climate trauma survivors. When we think of disaster aid, we may be aware that it provides food, water, and shelter, but mental health care as a form of first aid is now more important than ever. Experiencing life-altering extreme weather such as floods, fires, or hurricanes can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for survivors. Some therapists specialize in disaster mental health, or “psychological first aid,” a branch of mental health care that began in serving survivors of war. Repetitive disasters can stunt the recovery process, and low-income and minoritized communities are more vulnerable to the impacts. Thus, the poor are more likely to experience mental health issues when it comes to our changing climate.3 A recent study also found that air pollution from power plants, cars, agriculture, construction, and wildfires that have been known to cause cancer, stroke, heart attack, or respiratory problems, are also tied to increased risk of depression and anxiety.4

Even those who have felt they don’t live in particularly at-risk parts of the planet are feeling the shifts, and this can take a toll. Being educated about what’s happening in the world may increase stress. In fact, those fighting in the movement are susceptible to feelings of climate activism burnout, or exhaustion due to climate-related stress.5 One may even feel climate guilt from not doing everything they possibly can for the planet.6 It’s sometimes hard to believe that doing small things like using a reusable water bottle is going to save the planet. It can be compared to voting: casting a single vote may not seem like it will make much difference, however when people gravitate to the polls and turn out, big changes in political office can occur in the direction of justice. If we all work to do our part, things can get better—remaining hopeful is also a part of balancing a mental health practice. However, while there is always more that we can do as individuals to work towards matching our actions to our values, we alone cannot make the necessary changes.

In a recent survey of 10,000 16-25-year olds from ten different countries, “59% were extremely worried [about climate change],” while “over 45% said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning.” These feelings were “significantly related to perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal.”7 Thus, this movement particularly involves holding governments, corporations, agriculture, and the system of capitalism accountable for the prioritization (or the lack thereof) of our planet and her inhabitants. Further, we must center Indigenous voices because our planet’s original protectors hold the knowledge that sustained the earth before ecocolonialism, or the “history that weaves together the ecological changes that took place on our Indigenous lands starting since colonization.”8

We must remember that the world’s problems do not lay on our individual shoulders and that it takes collective care work to support one another. Mutual aid is based on concepts of solidarity and community care that are required when the systems of power that exist fail to support our basic human needs and survival from disasters. Throughout the pandemic, many of us have learned to not rely on governmental structures for our needs, and that compassionate cooperation over capitalistic competition is what will maintain our collective survival.