Climate anxiety: Mental health crisis growing alongside global warming

When we discuss climate change, we tend to talk about warmer temperatures, more powerful storms and environmental destruction. 

But its effect on mental health is becoming a parallel concern. Around the world, more and more people are experiencing what experts call "climate anxiety" or "eco-anxiety".  

Ongoing concern, anxiety and distress over the impact of global warming. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared climate change a serious threat to mental health and wellbeing. 

It is natural to be concerned about the environment, because there really is a problem, but constant exposure to alarming news, record-breaking temperatures and natural disasters that are becoming more frequent can leave many people feeling overwhelmed. 

In particular, young people are experiencing high levels of anxiety about the future, with many wondering whether future generations will be able to live safely and comfortably on a warming planet.

Extreme weather events are among the most direct ways that climate change impacts mental health. 

Floods, cyclones, droughts and heatwaves can cause trauma that lingers long after the physical destruction is gone. 

Those who have lost their home, their livelihood or a loved one often experience stress, depression, anxiety and sometimes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Major health studies, including the Lancet Countdown, have warned that climate-related disasters are placing increased psychological stress on communities around the world. 

Heat itself can also impact mental wellbeing. Studies have also shown that long-term exposure to extremes of temperature can lead to increased irritability, stress, sleep difficulties and depression. With heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense, the physical risks are likely to be matched by a rise in the toll on mental health.

Young people are the most affected by climate anxiety. A large international study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found many young people say they feel frightened, sad and powerless about climate change. 

Some participants said their worries impacted their daily lives, studies and future plans. Unicef has also drawn attention to the emotional impact of climate change on children and adolescents. 

Especially, for people living in flood zones, storm-prone areas, and extreme heat. Young people today are growing up in an environment where they are constantly bombarded with news reports and social media about environmental crises, unlike previous generations. 

This constant exposure can lead to hopelessness and uncertainty. Particularly if young people think governments and institutions are not doing enough to address the problem.

Climate-vulnerable regions such as South Asia are particularly susceptible to the effects of climate anxiety. 

Countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan regularly face floods, cyclones, rising temperatures and other climate-related challenges. 

Research from the region has found links between extreme weather events and increased rates of anxiety, depression and emotional distress. Mental health professionals say that repeated exposure to disasters can make people fear the future and feel insecure. 

Psychologists also point out that residents of vulnerable communities often experience "anticipatory anxiety" – anxiety not only about present hardships, but the next disaster that may befall them. 

For families whose livelihoods depend on farming, fishing or other climate sensitive activities, uncertainty about income and survival can increase the psychological stress. In many cases, limited access to mental health services makes it even harder for affected communities to cope.

Even with these challenges, experts say climate anxiety should not be ignored or dismissed. Psychologists say an important first step is to acknowledge these feelings and talk about them openly. 

Strengthening community networks, taking concrete steps to help the climate and avoiding overexposure to distressing news can go a long way to alleviating the sense of helplessness. 

The WHO and mental health professionals are also calling on governments to integrate mental health support into climate adaptation and disaster response plans. 

Climate anxiety is not just a personal problem, it's a new public health problem. As temperatures rise globally, protecting mental wellbeing will become as important as protecting homes, infrastructure and ecosystems from the effects of climate change.