Maintaining good mental health is essential for everyone, especially during this era of climate change and environmental degradation. The growing awareness of ecological crises can lead to eco-anxiety—feelings of fear, helplessness, and grief about the planet's future. While awareness is important, unchecked anxiety can overwhelm individuals and communities, reducing our capacity to act effectively or to support others.
Good mental health provides the resilience needed to face complex environmental challenges with clarity, compassion, and hope. It helps people stay connected, think critically, and contribute to solutions rather than becoming paralysed by fear. Supporting mental wellbeing allows for sustained engagement in climate action without burnout.
Moreover, it is vital to care for those who are already mentally vulnerable. They may be more susceptible to distress due to direct climate impacts such as displacement, heatwaves, or food insecurity, as well as the emotional weight of environmental loss. Ensuring psychological support and inclusion in climate dialogue fosters equity and strengthens social cohesion.
In times of crisis, solidarity is a powerful tool. Promoting mental wellness, reducing eco-anxiety, and uplifting vulnerable individuals are not just acts of care—they are acts of climate resilience that protect both people and the planet.
