Case Study:

CLIMATE ANXIETY HOTLINE

A single resource to support those experiencing climate anxiety.

To mark Mental Health Month in May, Climate Clock swapped its traditional deadline and lifeline figures for a single resource that provides accessible sources of support for those experiencing climate anxiety and climate trauma.

Why a Hotline?

The action is a response to extensive social listening from highly-engaged Climate Clock posts and several conversations with members of our global community and a recent landmark study on eco-anxiety, which found that 68% of adults reported experiencing "at least a little eco-anxiety", and 48% of young people reported that climate change negatively affects their daily life and functioning.

The virtual hotline provides links to support resources such as helplines, climate cafes, online forums, and other mental health services that specialize in climate-related issues, from organizations across the world including Climate Psychology Alliance, Force of Nature, Good Grief Network, Climate Awakening, Gen Dread, and Psychologists for the Future. These resources are easily accessible via the Climate Clock website at www.MentalHealthHotline.earth, ensuring that youth, parents, teachers, and others who need support can find it quickly and easily.

IMPACT

1000

visits to the hotline

6

high-profile spokes-people
for campaign

1.4m

impressions of press
release

“Climate anxiety is the internal alarm bell that tells you something is wrong. Right now, humanity is hurtling toward a cliff of climate collapse: we need people to wake up and look in the face of this crisis. When we're honest with ourselves, when we hold space for difficult emotions, we open the door to our courage... and instead of shutting us down, climate anxiety can be the fuel that motivates us."

Clover Hogan
Climate Activist and Founder of Force of Nature
"The climate crisis impacts our minds, hearts, and bodies far more than is discussed privately and publicly. Globally, climate anxiety, depression, and trauma are all on the rise. The most vulnerable among us are the least responsible, and most impacted. Collectively, we need to change course. In order to collaboratively develop pro-social, equitable, and timely solutions to the crisis, it is essential that we address individual and community mental health needs. Caring for ourselves, each other, and the planet are mutually interdependent. Acknowledging the uncertainty of the moment helps us to move beyond hope vs doom, and find meaning and purpose in the crisis. We invite you to join us so that we can grow together towards a regenerative way of life."

Rebecca Weston
Co-President, Climate Psychology Alliance - North America
“The evidence shows that the climate crisis is hurting young people’s mental health worldwide. Many climate anxious youth experience moral injury from living in a system where power holders are not doing what the science says must be done to protect the future habitability of the planet. It isn’t that young people are so upset because the environment “is not doing well”, it’s that they feel betrayed by leaders on this issue, which makes their suffering worse. The good news is that courageous climate action can change that, and if we want today’s youth to enjoy a well functioning society when they’re older, it must.”

Dr. Britt Wray
Lead of the Special Initiative on Climate Change and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medicine, and author of Generation Dread.
“I applaud the Climate Clock for creating a virtual hotline so our families, friends, and neighbors can access resources to feel empowered to tackle the climate crisis. Environmental justice communities continue to bear the brunt of climate disasters that take a lasting toll on their mental health. We need to invest big into mental health resources that are affordable and accessible and empower communities to build resilience to climate change’s catastrophic impacts. That is why I am proud to introduce the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act with Representatives Tonko and Fitzpatrick. I will continue to fight for large, comprehensive funding in mental health care that uplifts individuals and families who are on the frontlines of climate disasters.”

Ed Markey
US Senator of Massachusetts