Climate Change and Mental Health: A Growing Concern for Young Adults
Concern over how climate change may affect young adults’ mental health is growing as its impacts become more obvious. Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC) draws attention to the growing stress and worry that members of this population are facing as a result of climate-related occurrences.
Climate change is contributing to a rise in eco-anxiety, a term describing the chronic fear for the environment. Young adults, acutely aware of the long-term consequences of climate change, often feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem and the perceived inaction of older generations and governments. This is a significant issue, as many young people may feel that their futures are at stake.
Feelings of loss and bereavement need to be taken into consideration when we are looking at the climate crisis and other crises that are taking place. At Winchester Youth Counselling, we’ve noticed that more and more young clients are expressing feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and sometimes anger about the future.
These emotions are often intensified by social media, which constantly exposes them to distressing news and imagery about environmental degradation and disasters. It’s important for parents to understand that these feelings are real and valid, and to support their children in navigating these difficult emotions.
To address these challenges, WYC is incorporating climate-focused discussions into our counselling sessions. By providing a safe space for young people to express their fears and anxieties, we aim to help them build resilience and find proactive ways to engage in embracing the environment.
At WYC, we offer 1:1 Walk and Talk Counselling and Nature Therapy, which can provide a sense of empowerment and connection with the surrounding natural world, whilst helping to mitigate feelings of isolation and despair.
For young adults feeling the weight of climate change, remember that you’re not alone. Reach out to friends, family, or a counsellor to talk about your feelings. Engaging in community actions, whether it’s a local clean-up project or a climate awareness campaign, can also be a powerful way to combat feelings of helplessness.
Additionally, the Climate Psychology Alliance is offering young people aged 18 and over, online climate cafes which they are welcome to take part in. These cafes provide a supportive environment to discuss climate-related emotions. The Climate Psychology Alliance also runs climate cafes and support for parents. We welcome any parent or young person to get in touch with Jill Guppy, Clinical Lead, if you wish to discuss this in more detail.
