”Climate change is recognised as the greatest health threat of the 21st century and has significant impacts on physical and mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.” – Australian Psychological Society.

There is no doubt that the reality of climate change can seem overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know how to process.

The impacts of climate change over the next decades have the potential to negatively affect mental health, so it is vital to seek help and speak up when you need to.

The below information was sourced from the Australian Psychological Society, visit their website here.

Download the Climate Change Empowerment Handbook for psychological strategies to tackle climate change.

Key issues

  • The mental health impacts of climate change may range from mild stress through to much more significant mental health problems.
  • Extreme weather events can increase the risk of mental health problems, including anxiety, PTSD, depression and grief.
  • Other risk factors may include loss of employment,  strain on relationships, loss of identity, grief at loss of loved ones or familiar places, increased workloads, social isolation and heightened distress.
  • Many people are seriously concerned, frightened or pessimistic about the future, and may feel helpless or frustrated. New terms including ‘eco-anxiety‘ and ‘climate change anxiety‘ are starting to be used to describe this state of mind.
  • It is important to remember that there is still plenty to be hopeful about. Making some positive change in your own daily life may help to improve your outlook. Visit our What Can I Do? page for more information.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, and need to speak to someone, please reach out and use one of the many free services available, including:

Is This How You Feel?:

Australia’s leading climate researchers respond to the question, “How does climate change make you feel?” in an exhibition showcasing their hand-written letters collected by Science Communicator Joe Duggan:

(Source: Is This How You Feel)