Eco-Anxiety is Shaping a Generation. Here’s What You Can Do.

On the west coast, a haunting plume of smoke erupted across Los Angeles’ mountain ranges. Residents fled, abandoning cars on the highway to run for safety. On the east coast, Asheville residents saw their town transform into an apocalyptic landscape in the wake of Hurricane Helene. As these disasters become more common, an increasing number of people will live with the lingering effects of surviving a harrowing natural disaster. So as this global crisis explodes, it begs the question: what does it do to the psyche of a nation? 

Eco-anxiety is the chronic fear of environmental destruction and climate change, and it’s more common than you might think. A global 2021 study reported that nearly 62% of young people felt anxious about climate change, with about 67% expressing feelings of sadness and fear. Many individuals feel helpless about the planet’s future, which has caused a spike in environmentally-related anxiety, depression, and existential dread. 

Although valid, these feelings can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life if not harnessed or addressed. Author Britt Wray writes in her book Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in the Age of Climate Crisis, “Dread is a resource floating freely in the air, and it’s this generation’s job to capture it.” Therapeutic support can be a powerful way to manage eco-anxiety, regain control over emotions, and channel concerns into meaningful action.

What is Eco-Anxiety?

Eco-anxiety is not a clinical disorder but rather an emotional response to environmental crises. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines it as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” Unlike general anxiety disorders, eco-anxiety is tied to real-world events rather than irrational fears. Recent natural disasters like the deadly Maui wildfires in 2023 or the record-breaking heatwaves crushing the Southwest have intensified eco-anxiety for many Americans. Even just in the last couple years, the United States has seen a series of unprecedented natural disasters with no relief in sight. 

These climate-related disasters have left many individuals struggling with grief, fear, and uncertainty about the future. If you’re experiencing these emotions, a local therapist with availability—and may accept your insurance—can be found on a platform like SonderMind. By acknowledging and addressing these feelings, you can foster resilience and contribute to environmental solutions.

Engaging in community support groups and taking proactive steps toward environmental sustainability can also help transform anxiety into constructive action. Volunteer work is a powerful way to contribute to climate-change mitigation efforts. Here are several US-based organizations where you can make a meaningful impact.

1. Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL): CCL empowers individuals to engage in climate policy advocacy. With 420+ chapters across the US, volunteers build support in Congress for national bipartisan climate solutions. Activities include educating communities, lobbying politicians, and creating media awareness. 

2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA offers opportunities for volunteers to contribute to climate science. For instance, the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) enlists volunteers to record and report daily weather and climate observations—aiding in building the nation's historic climate record. 

3. Work on Climate: This organization comprises a diverse team of volunteers—including seasoned professionals—who donate their time to propel climate initiatives forward. Volunteers contribute skills in areas such as events, marketing, business development, research, and data analytics. 

4. Sierra Club: The Sierra Club offers numerous ways to get involved in tackling climate change, protecting natural areas, and preserving water resources. Volunteers can participate in advocacy, conservation projects, and community outreach programs. 

5. AmeriCorps' American Climate Corps Initiative: Launched in September 2023, this initiative partners AmeriCorps with seven federal agencies to address climate challenges and prepare individuals for clean energy jobs. Volunteers participate in restoring natural areas and supporting communities during extreme weather events. 

How to Cope with Eco-Anxiety

Many individuals who struggle with eco-anxiety hesitate to seek professional help because they may believe therapy won’t change things. However, untreated eco-anxiety can negatively affect one’s mental health, relationships, and overall wellness. Experts like Anthony Leiserowitz—director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication—emphasize the importance of addressing these feelings. He notes that "around 10 percent [of Americans] report feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge about global warming at least several days per week." 

Therapy can help in several ways:

• Managing anxiety symptoms: Cognitive techniques can help reframe catastrophic thinking and reduce stress.
• Developing emotional resilience: Learning how to process grief and frustration in a healthy way prevents emotional burnout.
• Encouraging positive action: Therapists can help individuals shift from feeling helpless to taking constructive action.
• Strengthening coping strategies: Mindfulness, grounding techniques, and self-care routines can reduce feelings of overwhelm.
• Providing a supportive space: Working with a therapist who understands climate-related distress offers validation and guidance.

Eco-anxiety is not something to "cure" but rather something to manage, ensuring that it doesn’t interfere with your well-being. Dr. Thomas J. Doherty—a psychologist specializing in environmental issues—emphasizes the importance of addressing this in therapy: "It's important to validate people's feelings about environmental issues and help them find meaningful ways to engage with these challenges." 

Finding the Right Support

1. Identify your specific needs

Before searching for a therapist, take time to reflect on what you need. Are you looking for help managing anxiety symptoms? Do you want support in navigating climate activism without emotional exhaustion? Are you struggling with grief over ecological loss?

Clarifying your goals can help you find the right therapeutic approach. Some individuals benefit from cognitive therapy while others prefer nature-based or group support.

2. Search for climate-aware therapists

Not all therapists specialize in eco-anxiety, so it’s important to find a professional familiar with climate-related distress. Look for therapists trained in:

• Climate psychology or climate-aware therapy – Addresses how environmental concerns impact mental health
• Ecotherapy (nature-based therapy) – Uses nature to promote healing and well-being
• Existential therapy – Focuses on finding meaning and purpose amid uncertainty
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Helps reframe anxious thoughts and develop coping mechanisms
• Mindfulness-based therapy – Encourages grounding techniques to reduce stress
• Art therapy - Leverages artistic mediums to process deep emotions 

3. Consider online therapy options

If you live in a more rural part of America, online therapy provides an accessible alternative. Platforms like SonderMind offer virtual sessions with professionals that may offer the different therapeutic modalities mentioned above. Online therapy is not only a great resource for rural residents but can also offer flexibility and convenience to anyone seeking care. Many therapists also offer sliding-scale fees for affordability.

4. Explore group therapy and support circles

Community support is a powerful way to manage eco-anxiety. Climate-focused support groups allow individuals to share experiences, process emotions, and find solidarity in a collective space. Organizations like The Good Grief Network provide structured programs to help people navigate climate grief. Local environmental groups or activist communities may also host mental health discussions.

5. Integrate self-help strategies alongside therapy

While therapy provides valuable guidance, you can enhance your resiliency by integrating personal coping strategies.

• Spend time in nature: Studies show that connecting with the natural world reduces stress and improves mental health.
• Practice mindfulness and meditation: Breathing exercises, yoga, or journaling can help regulate emotions.
• Take meaningful action: Volunteering, reducing personal waste, or engaging in activism can shift feelings of helplessness into empowerment.
• Limit doomscrolling: While staying informed is important, excessive news consumption can increase anxiety. Set boundaries around climate news to help maintain mental balance.
• Seek community: Engaging with like-minded individuals can reduce feelings of isolation and increase motivation.

Living Intentionally with Eco-Anxiety

In an interview with author Britt Wray, she explains that “we can’t make big uncomfortable changes if we’re feeling comfortable. Things just continue if people are privileged and protected enough to not be disturbed on some kind of somatic, bodily, emotional, or psychological level about what’s going on.” She goes on to say, “People need to feel the discomfort; it needs to break through the psychological defenses that allow people to pretend themselves away from difficult truths and from a scary reality. What we’re seeing now is that many people’s defenses against climate change are breaking down.”

Eco-anxiety reflects an awareness of environmental issues, but it doesn’t have to be paralyzing. You can manage your anxiety while taking meaningful action by seeking therapeutic help, practicing self-care, and engaging with your community.

If eco-anxiety is affecting your well-being, don’t hesitate to reach out to a climate-aware therapist. Instead of allowing fear to dominate, you can use it as a catalyst for resilience, purpose, and positive change.