ECO- ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS – how to help yourself
Whatever you call it, eco-anxiety, eco-paralysis, eco-grief or eco-anger, the impact of the awareness of climate crises on people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing is increasingly being felt, particularly by children and young people (Clayton & Karazsia, 2020).
Many will feel such emotions as fear, worry, anger, guilt, shame, hopelessness, and despair. This is normal and it shows that you care about others and the world around you. One comprehensive global survey of 10,000 young people found that 72 per cent of 16 to 25-year-olds in the UK feel that ‘the future is frightening’ (Hickman et al, 2021).
Eco- anxiety is a way of describing how people feel when they hear bad news about our planet and the environment. Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming amount of (mis)information online which has a negative effect along with the realities of seeing more frequent extreme weather conditions; warmer temperatures around the world, floods, fires or droughts and the harm to animals and their natural habitats.
For young people, who will have to bear the greater brunt of climate impacts, their distress is exacerbated when their concerns are invalidated or minimised by well-meaning adults, failing to act.
https://www.bps.org.uk/blog/eco-anxiety-children-and-young-people-what-we-can-do-help
When to get help…
If you feel worried all the time, it can affect your mental health. It’s important for you to understand how you feel, how to look after yourself and how others can help you.
How is eco stress different to every day worries
With everyday worries, like doing something for the first time, you will usually feel less worried after someone has given you a little encouragement or you have done the task.
But it is difficult to be comforted about the problems in the environment as they are too big for us to solve on our own. There are a lot of legitimate reasons to be concerned about the environment and the planet. However, if you are experiencing eco distress, these concerns will feel unmanageable and overwhelming
How do I know if I’m feeling eco distress
You may feel:
- breathless, sweaty, sick
- headachy, tense or fidgety
- anxious, fearful, panicky
- upset, tearful, irritable, negative
- angry, frustrated, furious
- guilty, hopeless, drained
- on edge, numb, withdrawn
You may think:
- things can’t be as bad as the scientists say
- a major disaster will happen soon
- about death and dying of animals and people
- grown-ups should be doing more
- about not having children
- what’s the point in going to school or having a career?
- you have a huge responsibility to make changes and convince other people to do the same
- you don’t want to think about it anymore, and switch off if the topic comes up
You may notice changes in:
- your sleep pattern
- your motivation
- the amount of energy you have to get up and do things
- your ability to concentrate on things like homework or reading
What can I do to feel better
Be aware of the situation:
- Keep up to date with information about the environment. Talk to an adult, or look up a reliable website or charity. Remember that you don’t have to be an expert.
- Take care not to overload yourself with too much information. Give yourself time to switch off and focus on other things, like doing activities you enjoy.
Understand, experience and cope with the feelings that come up:
- Remember that these feelings make sense. They are a sign that you care about other people and the environment.
- Express how you feel. People have different ways of doing this, like writing, creating art, playing music, or doing things like making a self-soothe box: youngminds.org.uk/blog/how-to-make-a-self-soothe-box
Look after your own mental health and wellbeing by:
- Eating healthy food, and getting enough sleep and exercise
- Spending time with your family and friends
- Making time for being creative – find activities that make you happy
- Not using drugs or alcohol to cope with feelings
Stay hopeful and connected:
- Spend time in nature. This could be playing or reading outside, planting seeds or taking a walk somewhere you love.
- Talk to people. There are many others feeling the same way. Talking to people can be reassuring and can improve your self-esteem and your confidence.
- Remember there are lots of people working on solutions that will make the world happier, healthier and safer.
Take action and do something differently, however small it feels:
- Always remember this is everyone’s responsibility, not just yours. The situation is not your fault, and you are not responsible for changing it on your own.
- Think about connecting with groups of young people, either in your local area or online, who feel the same way about the environment.
- Taking action can help us to feel more in control, hopeful and resilient. You can choose what changes feel right for you, for example:
- Help nature by planting wildlife-friendly flowers, a tree or making a bird feeder
- Start talking to your classmates, friends or family members about the environment
- Reduce the amount of rubbish you make, carry a refillable water bottle or bring your own bag when you go shopping
- Talk to your family about ways you can help, like eating less meat, buying less stuff, finding ways to re-use things instead of throwing them away, and walking, cycling or taking public transport.
Remember, small changes make a big difference.
When do I need to get help
If you have tried lots of things to help yourself feel better, but you are feeling overwhelmed, are having trouble sleeping, are thinking about hurting yourself, or are struggling to cope, you may need to get more help.
It’s a good idea to speak to your parents who can take you to see your GP. Or you can speak to a teacher that you trust, or the wellbeing support staff at your school.
They will be able to give you advice on what to do, or they may suggest that you see a mental health professional, like someone from your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
The type of help you get will depend on how you are feeling.
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people/eco-distress-for-young-people
Further information and resources
- The Climate Coalition – Provides a list of organisations for young people who want to support the environment.
- WWF UK – Learn more about the planet and what you can do to help
- Young People’s Trust for the Environment – Encourages young people’s understanding of the environment
- How to talk to your kids about climate change by Harriet Shugarman
- https://www.climatemama.com/author-page
References…
The British Psychological Society…
https://www.bps.org.uk/blog/eco-anxiety-children-and-young-people-what-we-can-do-help
Students Organising for Sustainability…
https://www.sos-uk.org/resources/talking-to-young-people-about-climate-change
Young Peoples Trust for the Environment…