Climate change is increasingly recognized not only as an environmental crisis but also as a profound challenge to mental well-being. Researchers have been exploring various terms to describe the psychological impact of climate change, including eco-distress, eco-anxiety, and eco-grief. These terms encapsulate a range of emotional symptomssuch as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorderthat arise from both experiencing severe weather events and living in a world where climate change is an ever-growing reality.

The ramifications of climate change are profound and far-reaching, affecting communities, ecosystems, and economies across the globe. However, the psychological consequences are becoming alarmingly evident, particularly among young people. A mounting body of research has been documenting severe levels of climate anxiety in individuals aged 25 and under. In fact, even preschool-aged children are reportedly exhibiting signs of distress. Elizabeth Haase, a founding member of the Climate Psychiatry Alliance and a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, notes, You come across it in children as young as three. You find them on TikTok, sobbing about losing their teddy bears or grieving for animals they loved that perished in extreme weather events.

Recent studies are shedding light on the extent of this issue. A notable paper published in April 2025 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences surveyed nearly 3,000 young Americans aged 16 to 24. Alarmingly, about 20% of respondents expressed fear about having children due to concerns about bringing new lives into a world increasingly plagued by climate change. This fear escalated to over 30% among those who had directly experienced severe weather events. Another significant 2021 study published in The Lancet surveyed 10,000 individuals aged 16 to 25 across ten countries. The results were distressing: nearly 60% described themselves as very or extremely worried about climate change, with almost 85% expressing at least moderate concern. Furthermore, over 45% of respondents reported that their climate-related anxiety negatively impacted their daily functioning; 75% viewed the future as frightening, and 83% felt that current adults have failed to address the climate crisis, thus leaving the burden on future generations.

One striking quote from a 16-year-old participant in the study encapsulated the sentiment of many young people: For us, the destruction of the planet is personal. Emma Lawrance, Climate Care Center lead at Imperial College London and co-author of the PNAS paper, emphasizes, Its the people who have contributed the least to the problem who are facing the challenge of dealing with the consequences. Theyve been let down by the adults who were supposed to keep them safe.

This crisis primarily affects young individuals because their brains, while adaptable and capable of rapid learning, are also highly impressionable. As Lawrance points out, up to 75% of mental health issues begin before the age of 24. The 2021 study in The Lancet revealed that two-thirds of respondents were experiencing sadness related to climate change, almost 51% felt helpless, 62% reported feelings of anxiety, and 67% expressed fear. Significantly, only 31% remained optimistic about potential solutions, while a concerning 57% expressed anger over the current state of the world.

Haase indicates a worrying trend: We see kids having more reactive or situational depression, a form of depression triggered by specific crises or stressors, as opposed to persistent, untriggered depression. Further examining the long-term emotional impact of climate-related disasters, a 2024 paper in Preventive Medicine Reports analyzed nearly 39,000 high school students across 22 urban public school districts in the U.S. that had experienced 83 federally declared climate-related disasters over a decade. The study found that young people who had lived through multiple disasters exhibited a 25% increase in mental distress within two years post-disaster and a 20% increase five years later, underscoring the lasting psychological effect of these events.

Amy Auchincloss, an associate professor of epidemiology at Drexel University and lead author of the paper, expressed alarm over the findings: Disasters can upend adolescents lives for extended periods, interrupting school, social interactions, and essential support services, potentially worsening their familys economic situation.

The way adults respond to young people's expressions of climate anxiety can significantly influence their emotional well-being. A 2024 survey in The Lancet, which included nearly 16,000 young people nationwide, revealed that 62% had attempted to talk about climate change, yet 58% felt ignored or dismissed in those conversations. Over 70% wished for greater openness in discussions about climate issues, and 66% desired their parents and grandparents to better understand their feelings. Haase highlights the damaging effects of emotional invalidation, stating, If a child expresses a profound emotion and the parent dismisses it, this can have lasting psychological impacts.

To help mitigate the distress associated with climate change, especially among youths undergoing psychological counseling, Haase advocates for therapists to adopt a climate-aware approach. She emphasizes the need for tailored therapeutic techniques to better assist young people grappling with climate distress. Additionally, helping youths navigate the balance between acknowledging their fears and fostering hope is crucial. How do they sit with some of those difficult emotions while also envisioning a hopeful future? she asks. Adults play a vital role in guiding young individuals to find this balance.

Auchincloss underscores the necessity of implementing these supportive interventions, particularly in lower-income communities that are disproportionately affected by climate disasters, such as flood-prone areas in the developing world or urban locations experiencing extreme heat.

Despite the overwhelming distress stemming from climate issues, there is a silver lining: anxiety or anger can serve as a catalyst for action. Many young people have transformed their concerns into activism, participating in protests, engaging in boycotts, reducing their carbon footprints, and voting for climate-conscious leaders. Many young people have channeled their despair into action and become world leaders in the movement to preserve a livable climate, Auchincloss observed. They have been calling for a radical re-envisioning of business-as-usual. Ultimately, a challenge not created by young people will require their generation to take the lead in advocating for meaningful change.