Britt Wray, an author and researcher working at the forefront of climate change and mental health, defines ‘climate anxiety’ as an umbrella of uncomfortable emotions that a person can feel at the time of confronting the raging climate emergency.
She currently works as the Director of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry, a research and action initiative focused on Community-minded Interventions for Resilience, Climate Leadership and Emotional well-being in Stanford’s School of Medicine.
Climate Anxiety: A Challenge Or An Opportunity
A survey conducted by her team looked at the psychological impact of climate change on more than 10,000 youth from several countries across the globe, including India, Brazil, Portugal, Nigeria and the Philippines.
The poll found 39% of respondents have distressing thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis that make them hesitant to have children. But Britt also highlighted that climate anxiety “can be a powerful catalyst for solidarity, movement building and action.”
She says climate anxiety is not a mental illness. “To feel some distress is an appropriate, even a rational response to the global threat of climate change because there are a lot of things we care about that are in harm’s way.”
But the expert also stresses that the psychological impacts of climate anxiety cannot be undermined and that offering the right support is the need of the hour. It has been the cause behind panic attacks, sleep problems, eating disorders and suicidal behaviour.
But climate distress has also led to pro-environmental behaviour and activism in several individuals. Beyond protecting mental health, Britt is also focusing on building the resilience of communities through social trust and connectedness.
Helping People Better Cope With Climate Anxiety
In order to address climate anxiety better, regulating emotions is key. Certain techniques, including mindfulness practices and intentionally spending time close to nature, can help restore attention and regulate the nervous system.
Read More: Volunteers Breathe Different Fumes To Understand Air Pollution’s Impact On Brain
Longer-term methods such as flexible thinking can help. Self-efficacy is being considered as one of the most important measures. Britt says it is “an important concept that our actions can lead to real change, no matter how small, and that they matter in themselves.”
