By Ainsley Lawrence
Each week, the ongoing climate crisis brings with it new anxiety-inducing headlines about record-breaking heat waves, unprecedented natural disasters, and species extinctions—not to mention the inability of world leaders to effectively and aggressively address these issues to prevent further harm. Unfortunately, these reports are not only worrisome, they are also starting to cause serious mental health problems.
Mental health clinicians and Yale researchers are finding that a substantial number of individuals are experiencing severe anxiety about climate change. This phenomenon, which experts are referring to as eco-anxiety, is becoming a widespread issue, but it can be even more problematic among groups that already experience high stress levels on a daily basis.
Minority groups, for example, and those that experience the negative outcomes of systemic inequality and discrimination, are more likely to be impacted by the stress of climate change because they already suffer from high stress and anxiety and are disproportionately affected by climate change disasters. The LGBTQ+ youth in the South are inordinately impacted, for instance, because they already bear the burden of rising discrimination and lack of support. Activism, however, can be a transformative and empowering alternative to the anxiety that climate change is causing.
Climate Change and the LGBTQIA+ Community
Studies, including the Yale research mentioned above, show that marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of climate change. And not only are minority groups like the LGBTQIA+ community disproportionately affected by environmental harm, but they have also been excluded and underrepresented in the fight against climate change.
When disaster strikes, for example, reports have shown that a lack of recognition for LGBTQIA+ families has led to discriminatory relief aid distribution. Federal and state discriminatory practices that affect determinants such as economic opportunities, housing conditions, and access to healthcare can also negatively impact the LGBTQ+ population and reduce their ability to respond to environmental harm.
For example, a high percentage of homeless youth are LGBTQ+, and living in poverty puts people at greater risk when climate disasters strike. Discriminatory housing policies against LGBTQ+ people have also led to the community being subjected to a disproportionate burden of pollution. A study conducted in Houston, Texas, for instance, showed that areas with higher populations of same-sex couples saw increased amounts of air pollutants compared with areas with fewer queer relationships.
LGBTQIA+ populations are also at higher risk for certain health issues, which can be worsened by the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. For example, another study shows that those who are HIV-positive can experience complications when their exposure to hazardous air pollutants is higher.
Because of these disproportionate impacts, climate activists in the LGBTQ+ community are starting to step forward and make their voices heard. All across the country, activists like Aletta Brady, Ceci Pineda, and Dean Jackson, are fighting hard to make big changes and center the voices of those who are most impacted by environmental harm.
Even with these grassroots efforts, however, LGBTQIA+ youth are still being affected by eco-anxiety, especially in the South, where they already face inordinate amounts of hate and discrimination.
Social Media and Headline Stress Aren’t Helping
While LGBTQ+ kids today can find support through social media, especially with how it allows them to more easily connect and share stories with others in the community, it can also be harmful to their mental health. Even without feeds being flooded with stressful climate change headlines, there are numerous other things that can cause depression and anxiety online.
For instance, LGBTQ+ individuals can experience hate and discrimination in online spaces. Social media can also fuel feelings of isolation and lead to self-deprecating thoughts thanks to comparison culture. So when you add the worrisome climate change stories and reports on top of that, it can have a significant impact on mental health and anxiety levels.
To better manage headline stress, climate change news anxiety, and the other harmful effects of social media, it’s helpful to take breaks more often from staring at a screen. Instead of waking up and immediately reaching for their phones, teens and young adults should incorporate healthier routines that help them begin their day away from the news and social media.
Additional tips to help reduce stress related to climate change news on the internet include:
- Seeking out more positive news stories
- Allowing for more time to process emotions that come with reading about stressful climate change news stories
- Walking away and permitting yourself to take a mental health break
- Focusing on what can be controlled, such as getting involved in climate activism.
On the flip side, social media can help youth learn about ways they can get involved in the fight against climate change by following the accounts of activists and climate change influencers. The key is to find balance with regard to how much time is spent online. Too much scrolling through posts and stories in one sitting, for example, can lead to spiraling thoughts and overwhelming emotions.
Using the Outdoors to Destress and Empower
One of the best ways to battle stress and anxiety while also teaching youth to appreciate nature even more—which can empower them to take action—is spending more time outdoors. For years now, studies have shown the healing power of nature and how it can help people destress and better regulate their bodies by improving their mental and even physical health. And the South is rich with natural beauty that is just waiting to be explored.
Spending more time in nature can also help queer youth struggling with their identities learn more about themselves and feel more at peace with their place in the world. As Spectrum South writer Yvonne Marquez shared, “being outside is a declaration: I am here. I exist. I am a part of this natural world.”
There are a number of benefits that queer youth can gain from spending more time in nature, including:
- Reducing stress-related hormones
- Improving sleep
- Boosting the immune system
- Increasing energy
- Promoting greater feelings of revitalization
- Decreasing tension
- Helping with feelings related to anger or depression.
Of course, spending more time connecting with nature can also increase interest in climate activism. When youth have more of an appreciation for nature, they will be more inclined to get involved in the fight against climate change and develop more eco-conscious habits and behaviors.
How LGBTQIA+ Youth Can Get Involved
For LGBTQ+ youth in the South who are struggling with anxiety over climate change, getting involved can help redirect stress and negative feelings into something more meaningful.
Community Engagement
Lots of communities in the South already have organizations dedicated to fighting against climate change, and these organizations are always looking for volunteers. The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, for example, provides communities with programs and assistance to help them fight against environmental threats.
Marching for Climate Change
Marches and rallies are excellent ways to raise awareness and also help bring people together. Teens can look into marches that already exist, or they can get together with their friends and other like-minded individuals in their community to organize their own marches or rallies.
Help Educate Others and Spread the Word
Young people are the future, and are therefore the best people to advocate for the planet. This can be done by organizing groups, meetups, or other actions at schools, among family and friends, in the local community, and even online. Youth can use these places to educate others, share their passion for the environment, and speak out against how the LGBTQIA+ community is disproportionately affected.
While LGBTQ+ youth in the South may feel more burdened due to eco-anxiety and higher rates of discrimination, getting involved and taking control can help. However, it’s also important to take breaks and allow the body to rest when things feel all-consuming and overwhelming. Practicing self-care, for example, can help youth feel revitalized and give them the energy and mental well-being needed to continue fighting the fight. It’s important to protect the planet, but it’s also important to protect yourself and your mental health.
