Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Well-being and Environmental Challenges.
This week, from the 13-19th of May, many people across the world have joined together to share the movement of Mental Health Awareness Week. This week is important as it raises awareness of the different conditions, symptoms, and ways to support yourself and those around you, it is also important that we make the connections between mental health and other world problems such as climate change, as there is an often-unknown connection between the two subjects.
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
1 in 4 people experience mental health problems, and the majority do not receive the help that is needed, nor do they have the education that is needed to recognise when help is needed. Mental Health Awareness Week aims to strengthen understanding of mental health and the different ways it can be prevented and treated, as well as reduce the pressure to change that society applies to those struggling with these conditions.
This is why the Mental Health Foundation launched the annual movement in 2001. The movement was set to bring everyone across the UK together and focus on improving the mental health of our family, friends, and ourselves. Since then, millions of people across the UK, from schools to workplaces to home, have dedicated a week every May to participate in Mental Health Awareness Week.
How does this link with climate change?
Climate change can have a bigger impact on your mental health than you realise. Every day stresses add up from your gas and electricity bill to the loss of nature we face daily, the little struggles amount to big impacts.
Climate anxiety: This is when we may feel stressed or fearful because of the climate emergency. A study from the Office of National Statistics in 2022 showed that 70% of 16-29-year-olds experience climate anxiety, and additionally 59% of 50-69-year-olds do too. Often this is due to feeling helpless in the situation and can cause individuals to fear for their safety and the safety of our world.
Natural disasters and Trauma: As we discussed in a previous article, Climate change is one of the biggest reasons behind more and more extreme natural disasters. In response to these natural disasters, many people are left injured, sometimes homeless, hungry and with no clean water. Things like this can lead to significant damage to mental health, causing stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and potentially even more.
On top of these two big factors, there is also economic stress that comes from climate change: costs of gas, electricity and food are rising and on a broader scale the impacts on local economies can create financial strain and stress.
Why is Mental Health important?
Every little moment we experience in our lives can affect our mental health, either positively or negatively. Whether it is one big experience or a bunch of little moments that add up, we must maintain our mental well-being to take these experiences in our stride and reduce the risks that poor mental health can bring. Having good mental health can calm and comfort you when negative experiences come up and can help reduce stress, fear and anxiety.
What can we do to help?
- Wearing green symbolises the movement and will allow you to spread awareness and talk to people around you about it. You could choose to wear a green shirt, or purchase one of their green bow pins and donate a little to the charity.
- Make sure to do your research. Share your knowledge about Mental Health Awareness and make sure you know how to get yourself or others support if needed.
- Take part in the Strava Challenge, this is an exciting way to push yourself to accomplish a goal you have been holding onto. This year Strava are focusing on the Around the World challenge. Encouraging people to get on their bikes or go backpacking across the world, taking in the natural world and having a relaxing break from everything else.
- Donate if you can, every penny goes into further research and funds the education and resources needed to support those in need.
- And in relation to that, you could try fundraising. This is a really good way to raise a bit of money for the charity and get your local community involved. You could even take this one step further and fundraise in a climate-friendly way, this could be a car boot sale with all your unused or unwanted items, selling only vegan items, or get crafty and create your things to sell. There are no limits to what good you could do with this.
- Reduce climate anxiety by focusing on and sharing positive news, there is so much good to focus on and it can reduce the stress you or someone you love may be experiencing.
- Think of ways you can reduce your climate impact. Energy efficiency can reduce your emissions whilst also reducing your bills – this is great for reducing stress. Take part in local climate action, learn about it find out what difference you can make to reduce any anxiety and chat with others who know how you are feeling.
How can I clear my mind (in a green way)?
Learning about climate change and mental health and how they intertwine together really makes you think about how we can use our environment to take a step back and calm our minds. Being one with nature is one way to appreciate our environment, understand the damage our societies are causing and take action to reduce that impact. Going on nature walks, cycling, outdoor yoga and meditation, and gardening, are all stress-relieving ways you can enjoy our surrounding environment whilst relaxing.
The connections are not always obvious, but they are important and education around our mental wellbeing saves lives daily. Climate change directly impacts our mental health, but with correct management, we can reduce the impacts of climate change and improve our mental well-being in one.
