Eco-Anxiety also known as Solastalgia - Do you have distress caused by climate change?

 Worldwide there is an increase in humans experiencing mental health distress about the corresponding science that reports on the climate crisis and emergency. This mental health condition has been termed as ‘eco-anxiety’ or ‘Solastalgia’ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18027145)

Recently, the Global Climate Strike Week of Action events saw millions of people taking the streets protesting and demanding government action now for change, before we reach the point of no return. These protests were spurred on by Greta Thunberg’s strike almost a year ago. Her solo strike was a way for her to do something about her emotional and mental health distress about the future and feelings of being betrayed by the inaction of governing forces not caring and corporate greed. See https://www.fridaysforfuture.org for more information on the movement she created. For the Global Climate Strike Action week, 1,000,000 people were Canadian; thus 1 out of every 6 strikers globally was Canadian, as well as we were 3rd globally for total # of strikes.

Getting involved in some way with your community helps with the mental health distress.

Other ways to help alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression regarding the demise of our home, the planet earth are:

· Talk about how you are feeling with others, friends, family, other activist groups, a therapist who understands this issue – this would help with the isolation, release some tension and stress

· Take action - join community groups, write letters to your local politicians, take part in local peaceful direct action, participate in art activism – this helps with feeling less stuck

· Switch Off Social Media – taking a break from all the alarming news, the data, statistics and science being shared about the climate change/emergency

· Look After Yourself – participate in self-care, meditation, create art, get back to nature, listen to music

· Participate in individual lifestyle changes – reduce or eliminate use of single use plastic, eat plant-based meals, reduce fossil usage, walk, bicycle, buy locally, practice minimalism, shop at second hand stores, reuse

For more details visit: https://patient.info/news-and-features/climate-change-eco-anxiety-how-to-cope

Above all else know you aren’t alone with this feeling of eco-anxiety/Solastalgia.