Information for Young People
Dealing with "Eco-Distress" and Taking Action
What Is Climate Change?
You might have heard about the climate and ecological emergency at school, or in the news. Sometimes, it might be called climate change or global warming, but we mean the same thing.
The health of humans is closely linked to the health of animals and the health of the planet (our environment). For example, we need the right environment (such as, the right amount of rainfall and sunlight, the right temperature, and the right soil) to be able to grow the food that we eat. Therefore, to be happy and healthy ourselves, we need to look after the environment around us and also our whole planet.
Lots of doctors and health care professionals are also worried about climate change, and the effect that it is going to have on the health of humans. They are working hard to reduce the amount of environmental damage caused by the healthcare service, and to ask the Government to do more to address this issue.
Scientists are doing lots of research about climate change. You can read more about some of that research here in the link below.
What Is "Eco-Distress"?
Like the scientists, doctors, healthcare professionals, and many other people all around the world; you might also have felt worried about climate change. People also describe feeling angry, upset, frustrated, guilty, frightened and sad.
And perhaps you have also noticed feeling some of these. It's OK if you did: this is a very big and difficult topic, and so it's normal to have some big and difficult feelings in response.
The best thing that you can do, is to talk about it with a grown up who you trust. It's important to remember that you are not alone, and lots of people are feeling the same. In fact, there are so many people feeling like this, that we have given it a special name and refer to it as "eco-distress" or "eco-anxiety".
What Can I Do To Help Myself Feel Better?
There are lots of things that you can do to help yourself to feel better. After you have spoken to someone to let them know how you are feeling (and they might like to look at our page for parents and carers to help them to help you), why not think about different ways, such as artwork or poetry or music, that you can use to express how you feel?
You might also want to take some action yourself. Actions can range in size and it's important to choose the action that feels right for you. BBC Bitesize have some tips on how to process your worries about climate change and how to turn them into actions, available below.
Where Can I Find More Information About Eco-Distress?
There is more information about eco-distress, including how to know you are experiencing it, what you can do to feel better, and how to know when you need to get more help, on this information leaflet by the Royal College of Psychiatrists