The global environmental crisis causes harmful mental health and wellbeing effects, especially for young people. The eco-crisis, our future and mental health project (Ympäristö ja tulevaisuus mielessä, 2023-2025) offers support and materials free of charge for addressing challenging thoughts and emotions related to the eco-crisis and our future. The project also provides tools for volunteers, professionals, and parents to support young people in working through these thoughts and emotions.
The primary goal of the project is to support people who are vulnerable to emerging eco-anxiety (environmental anxiety) relating to the current ecological crisis of our planet: those working with or studying environmental sciences, people with a strong environmental identity, young people, individuals with other burdening life experiences, students, etc. Our goal is to offer them psychosocial tools to protect their mental wellbeing and the possibility to share and build supportive communities. These in turn will increase overall emotional resilience.
When the environmental crisis awakens challenging emotions, we offer support.
Growing research and current reports show that the environmental crisis causes harmful mental health and wellbeing effects, but society’s support structures are still insufficient in this respect. In the middle of environmental changes and climate change, it is important to recognize and accept the feelings caused by these events. Practicing emotional skills helps amid environmental changes and the climate crisis.
Youth need support in their daily environments for the grief and anxiety caused by the eco-crisis. With support, living with emotions becomes easier and we can act better in our own everyday life for a more sustainable environment.
For those experiencing environmental and future concerns, The eco-crisis, our future and mental health project offers individual support and guidance, self-paced exercises and peer group activities. In addition, the project runs workshops and trainings about youth eco-anxiety for parents, volunteers and professionals.
The eco-crisis, our future and mental health project (2023-2025) is carried out by MIELI Mental Health Finland, Tunne ry and Nyyti ry. STEA, the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations in Finland, provides funding for the project.
The current project continues the work of our previous project The Mind of Eco-anxiety (Ympäristöahdistuksen mieli, 2020–2022).
Guides
During this project it was produced in English the guide:
A brief guide to eco-emotions: an information pack for activities with young people and students
This brief guide to eco-emotions offers tips for understanding environmental anxiety and promoting mental wellbeing in the era of environmental crisis.
The thought-provoking and practical guide is aimed at professionals and volunteers working with young people and young adults, for example in youth work, secondary schools or higher education.
Website and social media
Check out the website of the eco-crisis, our future and mental health project. The website is mainly in Finnish but offers some material in English.
You can find the project on Instagram @ymparistotunteet
#Ympäristötunteet #Ympäristöahdistus