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For years, politicians have had opportunities to take action on climate change. However, movement on this front has been frustratingly slow. This institutional sluggishness is one of the factors driving climate anxiety.
Climate change anxiety isn’t a mental disorder; it’s a natural response to a phenomenon that threatens our planet. While people of all ages can experience climate anxiety, it’s most common among young adults because they realize the world they’re inheriting could be on the brink of destruction. They’re also more likely than older adults to be affected by the long-term effects of climate change.
Unsurprisingly, therefore, teenagers are experiencing anxiety about climate change at ever-increasing rates. In a recent survey, almost 60% of young people reported worrying about climate change, and more than 45% said concerns about climate interfered with their ability to function.
Climate change and mental health
Adolescents reporting high levels of climate change anxiety experience more mental health symptoms than those with lower levels. They also have a greater risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders as well as substance abuse and stress-related conditions in adulthood.
Most school counselors and teachers lack the skills and resources to help students tackle climate anxiety. However, the Climate Mental Health Network is trying to change that. Teens who believe companies and countries are failing to do their part to combat climate change often feel abandoned by older generations, which causes profound psychological distress. This pain can make mental health symptoms worse.
Here are some signs that your teen may be suffering from climate anxiety:
- Not wanting to plan for the future
- Becoming distressed over their inability to fix the problem
- Feeling like it’s irresponsible to have children
- Continually thinking about natural disasters
- Feeling angry that people in power aren’t doing enough
- Obsessively checking climate news and weather forecasts
Why is climate change anxiety becoming common among teens?
- An ever-increasing threat: Even if your teen hasn’t experienced an extreme weather event, such as a flood or dangerous heatwave, they know that environmental damage due to climate change is increasing.
- Increased coverage of climate-related issues: Regular news stories about the devastation caused by climate change can demoralize teens, prompting them to give up.
- Increased awareness: Although it’s generally good to stay on top of climate change developments, obsessively thinking about them can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Lack of action on climate change: Watching people in power fail to implement change can result in feelings of despair and overwhelm.
How to cope with climate anxiety
Talk to your teen
Fear of climate change isn’t irrational; climate change is a phenomenon that threatens our planet. Because dismissing a young person’s climate anxiety can be harmful to their mental well-being, reassure your child that it’s okay to be concerned.
For example, if your teen sees frightening climate change news on television, say something like, “That’s upsetting, and it’s understandable if you feel scared. Tell me about what you’re feeling.” By acknowledging that your child is experiencing climate anxiety, you let them know that their concerns are legitimate, which can be validating.
Adolescents experiencing anxiety about the world need someone with whom they can express their fears without having them brushed off. Young people know when parents are intentionally avoiding a subject, and such avoidance often causes more anxiety and stress than discussing the topic, even if it’s distressing.
Balancing validation with the belief that your child can cope with their anxiety, however, can make them more hopeful. For example, you can say, “I know that climate change is causing you stress, but I also know that with my help, you can handle your feelings about it.”
Help your teen find reasons to be optimistic. People tend to focus on the negative, which isn’t helpful. Obsessively thinking about all the ways climate change could ruin the planet and our lives keeps us mired in misery.
Help them take action
Taking action can be a potent antidote to hopelessness. Teens who do a lot of “doom scrolling,” consuming massive amounts of negative online content about climate change, should redirect their efforts toward lessening their end-of-the-world anxiety. Finding ways to help combat the problem makes them feel energized instead of depressed.
Encourage your child to write to politicians to ask what they’re doing about climate change. You could even attend rallies with them. By joining a protest, they become part of something much bigger than themselves, which can help them feel that the planet has a fighting chance.
Organizing campaigns that cultivate awareness or raise money for environmental organizations is another excellent way to mobilize. Groups like Climate Action Families, Science Moms, and Parents for Future offer lots of tips for taking constructive action.
Set an example
Setting an example is the best way to show your child how to deal with climate anxiety. Demonstrating that you care about climate change without succumbing to despair can help your child do likewise.
If your child expresses climate change fears, you could say, “I worry a lot about that too. When I’m feeling anxious, it helps to take deep breaths or go for a walk. Let’s do something like that.” You could also say, “I also get upset when I think about climate change. But I know it’s easier to act when I’m not anxious.”
Also model actions your teen can take to alleviate worry. For example, you could use your automobile less often, instead walking, cycling, carpooling, or taking the bus to work. You can also implement a family recycling program if you haven’t already. If your teenager isn’t old enough to vote, tell them you’ll vote for policies to ensure a better future.
Take regular news breaks
Being constantly plugged into the news can take a devastating emotional toll on a teen. News stories often make the world seem bleaker than it is.
While one can find uplifting information on the internet, it’s also a never-ending source of misleading and harmful information. And once a teen clicks on a certain type of news story, algorithms kick in to feed them more of the same. This process can feel like falling into a black hole, making environmental anxiety much worse.
In one study during the pandemic, 942 individuals completed a questionnaire every two weeks. Participants with anxiety and depression reported whether they were feeling distressed and if so, how they were managing those feelings. The study found that those who steered clear of potentially upsetting news reports were less symptomatic.
Remind your teen of positive developments in the field of climate change and ask them to find other examples. Showing your teen what’s being done to mitigate potential problems can build hope. They’ll see that others share their anxiety and are working to ensure the future of the planet. The World Economic Forum often features stories about what people are doing to counteract global warming.
Know when to seek professional help
Teens who worry about climate change so much that it interferes with their ability to carry out daily activities could be suffering from anxiety disorder. If your child experiences extreme climate anxiety for more than two weeks, consider seeking professional help. A skilled counselor can help them decrease catastrophic thinking and the resulting physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety. Also, if your child has survived a weather event (such as a flood or wildfire), a therapist can help determine if they’re suffering from post-traumatic stress.
A form of treatment you might not have considered is online teen therapy. Studies suggest that it is as effective as in-person therapy, and it allows teens to express thoughts and process emotions from the comfort of home (or anywhere else with an internet connection). This makes it ideal for teens who suffer from social anxiety. It’s also highly effective at treating other mental health issues, including depression and eating disorders.
Final thoughts
Climate change is a threat to everyone but especially to young people. As a parent, you may find it hard to hear your teen discuss how upset they are about the problem without succumbing to the temptation to tell them everything will be okay. This kind of response, however, can feel patronizing. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and the seriousness of the problem. However, encourage your teen not to wallow in despair but instead find small ways to help fight climate change.