Our environment has a significant impact on mental health. While the physical consequences of climate change are well-known, the consequences on mental health are progressively getting growing attention and recognition. The influence on mental well-being frequently emerges even prior to extreme events, presenting itself as climate anxiety—a fear of the repercussions of climate and environmental changes (Cuncolo et al., 2020). Climate anxiety is not merely a minor concern about future alterations but is often an overwhelming, existential fear that exhibits symptoms similar to depression (Wu, J., et al., 2020). This anxiety can diminish an individual’s resilience, coping abilities, and elevate the risk of developing mental health issues, especially in the absence of support. Hence, it is crucial for society as a whole to pay attention, extending concern beyond those directly experiencing it (Annist, et al., 2023).

Climate anxiety predominantly affects children, youth, and young adults. Youth worldwide report that climate anxiety impacts their daily lives, with almost 60% expressing “very” worried sentiments about climate change (Hickam, C. et al., 2021). Numerous psychologists and mental health specialists affirm that young people, in particular, are increasingly distressed about environmental issues.

One approach to supporting individuals with intense climate anxiety is to assist them in channeling that anxiety into climate action and to enhance their sense of hope and meaningfulness in life, ultimately boosting resilience (Doherty, 2018; Davenport, 2017). According to a study by Pihkala in 2019, the most effective support mechanisms include self-help and support materials, group activities, events, and peer support.

The main objectives of this project are:

+ Improving youth workers’ knowledge and developing their competences with regard to climate distress and its mental and social effects through a Training Programme and Handbook with resources, methods and strategy to recognize climate distress in young people and help them manage and alleviate it;

+ Equipping young people dealing with climate distress with knowledge and competences with regard to self-help methods to further develop their personal and social competencies through a Self-Help Workbook and an educational website to improve their mental health state;

+ Improving the mental health and well-being of young people in the test-phase of Support Group ;

+ Instill a sense of belonging and a feeling of being heard, understood and not being alone in this situation;

+ Raising citizens’ awareness of climate axiety with short videos, inviting them to check the CALM-EY website and learn more about the issue. This project aims to develop high-quality project results on strategies and methods for climate distress coping skills both for people working with youth and young people affected by ecoanxiety directly.

To achieve its main objectives, the following outcomes are crucial to the CALM-EY project and its tailored and transversal approach:

Training of Trainers – Climate Anxiety
The Climate Anxiety Training of Trainers event took place in Tallinn in May 2024, where 10 youth workers, mental health specialists, and environmentalists from Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Malta gathered to learn how to support young people struggling with climate anxiety. Over the course of three days, participants deepened their understanding of the climate crisis and related issues, and developed the skills and competencies necessary to support youth in managing emotions triggered by climate change. These same participants will lead this training in their local communities in October 2024.

Summer Camp in Denmark
In June 2024, a four-day summer camp took place at Makvärket, Denmark, offering youth affected by climate anxiety a sense of belonging, community, and the time and space to transform negative emotions into meaningful action. The program was based on an interactive group process called The Work That Reconnects, developed by Joanna Macy. Over four days, participants processed their climate anxiety through gratitude, honoring their pain for the world, seeing with new perspectives, and taking meaningful action.

Support Methodology Guidelines
The Support Methodology Guidelines are simple and agile guidelines for youth workers and other professionals to facilitate regular meetings for young people experiencing climate anxiety. These guidelines aim to create safe spaces for youth to share their thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis without fear of being alienated or dismissed. The guidelines will be tested through Support Group pilots between 2024 and 2025 in Denmark, Malta, Germany, and Estonia.

Self-Help Workbook
A self-paced workbook for youth affected by climate anxiety, this resource aims to enhance individual coping skills. The workbook introduces methods and tools for dealing with climate anxiety. It can be used within support groups or as a stand-alone resource. The workbook is co-designed and created by affected youth, youth workers, and mental health professionals.

Training Programme
The Training Programme will have a direct impact on specialists working with youngsters, youth workers, and mental health professionals who will gain a better understanding of climate distress and its mental and social implications.

Handbook
Handbook will be created as a collection of the necessary tools, resources, methods, and strategies to identify climate distress in young individuals and provide effective support to manage and alleviate its impact.