By: Natalie Cooke, News Writer 

The 2023 Summit of Mental Health and Climate Change is hosted by the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance. Topics centered around the adverse impacts the climate crisis has on mental health and well-being. The Summit is a two-day virtual event that began in 2021 where over 120 climate change and mental health experts share their insights. 

Matt Treble, one of the speakers at the event, is a graduate student at Athabasca University. He currently works as a youth mental health counsellor at two non-profit organizations. His research and discussion analyzed climate change anxiety and existential anxiety among youth. 

Treble explained in his discussion why he was interested to start research in this field. “My clientele is generally 14–19, and I noticed over the past few years that [ . . . ] folks are really struggling about how to conceptualize their future, and how to plan what careers they want to do, and what type of family planning that they want to do in the context of uncertainty.” He noted, “Climate change was cited as a source of concern.” 

Existential anxiety is “a feeling of dread or panic that arises when a person confronts the limitations of their existence. Thoughts of death, the meaningless of life, or the insignificance of self, can all trigger existential anxiety.” 

Treble noted, “From a counselling psychology perspective, we look at existential anxiety and existentialism as the search for meaning and authenticity within your life.” He found this uncertainty can lead to mental health issues, especially in youth. 

Treble explained youth are trying to determine a “sense of self” through finding, “agency and resiliency.” However, their agency and resiliency are threatened by climate change because they seemingly have no control in this environmental battle. 

In Treble’s research, he asked youth to respond to the question of how they feel when thinking about climate change. The respondents said they felt hopeless due to a lack of control of the world’s future, as well as guilty that they may not be doing enough. When the researchers asked, “How does climate change affect how you think about your future?” responses underscored a feeling of discouragement. For example, responses were framed around the idea that if the world is coming to an end, there is no point in progressing in one’s career or bringing children into a world that will cease to exist. 

However, some adolescents also shared they are increasingly motivated to facilitate change, and they are inspired by activists such as Greta Thunberg. Beginning her activism as a teenager, she has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on two separate occasions, Thunberg continues to demonstrate leadership and initiative among youth. 

Treble’s data shows “Climate change awareness creates a wide array of emotional responses in Canadian adolescents.” He explained, “The results from this study could help inform the counselling psychology discipline to create targeted climate specific interventions and techniques, to support adolescents that are experiencing mental health issues from climate change awareness.” 

For more information and resources for worries and anxiety related to climate change, visit the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance website.