The emotional toll of climate change

Global warming and extreme weather patterns driven by climate change are making life on Earth more unpredictable. From flooding to drought, intense heat, shifting seasons, and more, climate change is wreaking havoc across the globe and threatening our physical and mental health ^[1]. 

As these stressful situations happen more often, the risks of mental health effects from climate change continue to grow. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help ease the anxiety you may be feeling.

How climate change can affect your mental health

Climate change anxiety (also called eco-anxiety) describes the emotional distress that results from climate change and its impacts on daily life. 

For people experiencing eco-anxiety, increased awareness of climate change can lead to ongoing fear ^[2] about the future, along with other challenging emotions. These feelings often reflect real concerns about the environment and the future. This emotional response can include ^[3]:

• Grief

• Anger

• Frustration

• Hopelessness

• Sadness

Concern about climate change and its impact on mental health is widespread: According to 2025 data from the American Psychiatric Association ^[4], 55% of U.S. adults believe that climate change affects Americans’ mental health, while 35% report worrying about climate change on a weekly basis. 

Similarly, a 2022 Yale study ^[5] found that 64% of Americans are “somewhat worried” about global warming, and another 27% are “very worried.” So, while those experiencing climate anxiety may feel alone in their concerns about climate change, they are far from it. 

While climate change anxiety isn’t a clinical diagnosis — like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) — it can still have very real impacts on a person’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. 

Direct and indirect effects

Climate change is expected to have direct mental health effects ^[6] as a result of exposure to stressful weather and disaster events. It’s also expected to have its share of indirect effects, like increasing anxiety and distress ^[6] brought on by growing fears about climate change’s future impacts. 

There’s great variety in both the types of climate events our world is experiencing and their mental health impacts. In addition to the physical discomfort they create, climate change events like heat waves are associated with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychological exhaustion ^[7], and more. Increased air temperatures have been linked to an increase in mental-health-related emergency department visits ^[8]. And the economic hardships caused by long-term drought ^[7] linked to climate change are associated with increased rates of depression and even suicide, especially among agricultural workers. 

Signs you might have environmental anxiety

Climate anxiety symptoms can overlap with the emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder like: 

Physical symptoms 

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Rapid heart rate

• Stomach problems

• Unexplained aches and pains, including headaches 

Psychological symptoms

• Intense feelings of worry or panic

• Intrusive thoughts 

• A sense of impending doom 

• Difficulty controlling your thoughts

• Irritability

• Trouble concentrating

Whose mental health is most likely to be impacted?

While climate change impacts everyone, the physical and mental health impacts are often greater for already vulnerable populations. Below are some examples of vulnerable populations and how they may be impacted by climate change.

Children and young people

While some of the physical dangers of climate change (like heat-related illnesses) are most likely to impact older adults, children, and low-income ^[9] and those with fewer resources, youth are particularly at risk of experiencing climate change anxiety.   

In a 2021 study ^[10] on climate anxiety in youth that involved 10,000 participants: 

• 59% were very or extremely worried about climate change.

• 84% were at least moderately worried.

• More than 50% reported feeling sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty as a result of climate change.

• Over 45% of participants said their feelings around climate change “negatively affected their daily life and functioning,” with 75% reporting that they felt afraid of the future. 

People with mental health conditions

Another strong predictor of climate change anxiety is the presence of a pre-existing mental health condition. Climate anxiety is highly correlated with generalized anxiety ^[11], so people with a clinical diagnosis of GAD may find themselves at greater risk for eco-anxiety. 

Natural disaster survivors 

People who have direct experience with natural disasters and climate catastrophes (like floods, extreme heatwaves, and wildfires) are more likely to experience short-term anxiety and may be at increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders ^[1]. As living spaces are lost due to disastrous climate events, those displaced from their homes could be at greater risk of both short- and long-term mental health challenges. 

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups

Research suggests ^[12] that LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups will be exposed to more climate change dangers than other people. LGBTQ+ Americans already experience higher rates of mental health challenges due to discrimination and stigma, which may increase vulnerability to climate anxiety.

How to cope responsibly with climate change stress

Coming to terms with our shared climate situation can feel daunting, especially for those who feel alone in their fears. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and there are ways to cope. Below are top tips from experts on how to ease anxiety about climate change.

Tips for dealing with climate change stressors

• Prioritize self-care. Ensure that you’re taking care of yourself with adequate sleep, nutritious meals, and regular movement. 

• Seek support and connection. Climate change anxiety can feel particularly isolating. Try reaching out to someone you trust or joining a group where you can talk openly about your concerns.

• Limit your news consumption. Try to resist doomscrolling and climate-change-specific doomscrolling, which is associated with depression and anxiety ^[13].

• Practice mindfulness. Target stress and anxiety with mindfulness techniques, like meditation and deep breathing.

• Seek creative outlets. Finding ways to express what you’re feeling can help reduce stress and make emotions feel more manageable. This might look like writing, making art, or playing music. 

• Spend time outside. Immerse yourself in nature to help regulate your nervous system ^[14]. For example, you could go for a walk or read a book outdoors. 

• Take meaningful action. Small steps can help you feel more connected to your values. This might look like getting involved in local efforts, advocating for change, or making choices that align with what matters to you.

Finding support for climate anxiety

• Get support at your fingertips. With resources like Crisis Text Line ^[15], there’s a growing body of support for people experiencing eco-anxiety. You can text with a trained counselor and get support in the moment.

• Consider trying therapy. A therapist can help you handle your eco-anxiety and build coping strategies. Approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help you work through your anxious thoughts. Some providers may also offer support groups or specialize in climate-related concerns.

Clinician’s take

A common coping pattern with climate anxiety is shutting down or avoiding the topic completely. This might look like ignoring the news or disengaging from conversations. It can bring short-term relief, but it often keeps the anxiety going. Finding small, manageable ways to stay engaged can help you feel more steady.

Brandy Chalmers, LPC

Clinical reviewer