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The climate crisis provokes a range of emotional responses that can, at times, be difficult to bear. Climate anxiety and eco-distress aren’t themselves mental disorders, but strong anxiety and depression can be experienced as a result of engaging with the climate crisis and what it means1Pihkala, Panu. “The Process of Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Grief: A Narrative Review and a New Proposal.” Sustainability 14, no. 24 (January 2022): 16628. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416628..
We’re not doctors or psychologists! We’ve put together this post to signpost some of the resources and professional help available if you’re struggling with your mental health, but it shouldn’t be taken as advice on what to do. We’re based in the UK and the majority of the resources here are UK focused.
Getting professional support
If you are seeking professional support such as counselling the Climate Psychology Alliance is a good place to start. They provide support to people who are experiencing climate anxiety or eco-distress. Their website has a directory of therapists and information about climate cafes.
Alternatively, you can access psychological support services through your GP or by contacting Self-Help Services which provides mental health support in the North West of England. For other parts of the country visit the NHS website to find talking therapy services in your area.
Race, ethnicity and eco-distress
People from minority ethnic groups may face additional barriers in accessing mental health services, have to contend with racism in the environmental movement, and are more likely to come from communities that will suffer disproportionately from climate impacts. Systemic racism and white privilege can make participating in activism more difficult or more dangerous. Below are a couple of resources that might help you find someone to talk to about your mental health.
Accessing mental health support:
- Racism and mental health: Ways to support your mental health from MIND. Includes advice on finding a therapist who understands racism. The advice is focused on racism and mental health, not climate anxiety.
- The Black African and Asian Therapy Network Directory of Therapists.
LGBTQIA+ mental health services
The links below are for organisations that provide mental health support for LGBTQIA+ people. They don’t have specific resources relating to climate emotions.
- Support for LGBTQIA+ mental health Advice and resources for accessing mental health support from MIND.
- MindOut Online support service run by and for LGBTQ people.
- LGBT Foundation Telephone and online therapy for Greater Manchester.
- Pink Therapy
Self-help resources for worry and anxiety
The self-help resources in the list below have all been produced by mental health professionals or organisations. They are available freely on the internet and are intended to be used for self-help. These resources aren’t specifically produced for climate anxiety.
- Tackling your worries from the NHS
- What Me Worry?! – Centre for Clinical Interventions
- Worry Time and Worry Zones from Get Self Help
- The Worry Tree from Get Self Help
- Self-help book list from Reading Well
Self-help resources for depression
These resources aren’t specifically produced for climate anxiety. These resources weren’t produced specifically for depression resulting from the climate crisis.
- Self-care for depression from MIND
- How to cope with depression from the NHS
- Self-help book list from Reading Well