Young people grapple with emotional fallout from climate change
Anxiety over a warming planet is disrupting daily life for many young people, prompting new efforts to support mental health and foster resilience.
Leanne Italie reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Climate change is affecting young people's mental health through persistent worry, grief, and fear about the future, often leading to sleep issues and trouble concentrating.
- Therapists, educators, and community advocates are developing new strategies — from nature-based therapy to school tool kits — to help individuals cope emotionally with climate disruption.
- Many parents and teachers are modeling sustainable behaviors and encouraging collective action to help youth channel anxiety into engagement.
Key quote:
“A lot of times, the anxiety and the hopelessness comes from a feeling of powerlessness. And I don’t think any of us is powerless.”
— Kate Marvel, climate scientist and author
Why this matters:
The emotional toll of climate change is no longer a distant or abstract concern. For many young people, the crisis plays out not just in heat waves and fires but also in rising anxiety, depression, and existential fear. Studies show that a large majority of youth feel deeply concerned about climate change, but many believe they’re alone in those feelings — a gap that fuels isolation and despair. Mental health professionals are increasingly treating what’s known as “eco-anxiety,” while teachers and parents are being called to help youth process their concerns without downplaying the reality. As the climate crisis intensifies, so too does the need to understand and address its psychological dimensions, especially for the generations inheriting its consequences.
Related EHN coverage: Pollution’s mental toll: How air, water and climate pollution shape our mental health
