Helping People Cope with Eco-Anxiety

Environmental stress is real.

Our international reforestation charity is trying to uncover new ways to help people cope with eco-anxiety. We want to help people who are struggling with it, turn negative stress into positive action that plants more trees. You’re right, it does sound like a tall order. A handful of years ago, who’d have thought eco-anxiety would even be a ‘thing’?

Words Matter

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by news of the ailing health and wellbeing of our world. We’re only ever one step away from that knowledge having a negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

My colleagues and I at The Word Forest Organisation know we walk a fine line when discussing #ClimateChaos in a ‘matter of fact’ way. It’s done with stone-cold sobriety and a sensitive, sanguine attitude and we're cognisant that our choice of language could provoke a startling awakening for anyone who isn’t used to it.

As dedicated environmentalists, we have obligations to every living, breathing creature and to the world we all inhabit.

Too much information can lead to disconnect and shutdown – our planet simply cannot afford that. Our organisation has got to work harder to get our balance and tone right and to engage more people to help us. Whatever your business is, you should be doing the same too. Are you?

How Big is the Problem?

I hate to say it, but frankly, it's terrifyingly large. I had two 'heavy' conversations earlier this week: one with a scientist from the University of Southampton responsible for the recent report on Atmospheric CO during the Mid-Piacenzian Warm Period and the M2 glaciation, the other with an environmentally active meteorologist. I asked what provisions were in place for their scientific colleagues to help them deal with eco-anxiety and depression. None, came the resounding reply... don't worry, I'm on it, with a handful of exciting ideas... more on that soon.

We're Lightening the Load

At Word Forest, we're trying to alleviate the potential negative impacts of eco-anxiety for people inside and outside our organisation. One solution has manifested in the website we launched last week for our volunteers. On it, we have a section dedicated to Mental Health and Wellbeing - we've been pondering all sorts of ways to expand it. (Incidentally, if you have anything you'd like to offer in this regard, please drop me a line.)

Many of us are suffering with different symptoms caused by environmental stress. They can be exacerbated when fuelled by overwhelming feelings that we should do more to repair the planet. What happens if we don't know where to begin? This vicious circle can leave us catatonic with inaction and left bleeding with wounds that take ages to heal. 

We’re offering an opportunity to channel negative energy and turn it into positive.

Little and Often Works Wonders

We’d like to try and help. Become a casual volunteer for The Word Forest Organisation and donate 10 minutes to help us right now. You’ll find a variety of quick, easy tasks that can be done at any time of the day or night. You’ll be joining a team of valued digital assistants and helping our charity and our planet, immeasurably.

We believe getting active in this way can empower you with a newfound resilience. When you undertake powerful, positive actions it can strengthen your ability to cope with eco-anxiety. Start by taking a look at the Wellbeing section first and you might find the tips useful and enjoyable. Confession time: listening to the sounds of nature while you work is incredibly soothing.

There is no need to fill in an application form and you don’t have to come to our offices. You don’t have to commit to volunteering on a certain time or date either. The only requirement from you, is a willingness to want to help our world, its people and wildlife. Once you see how easy it is to make a difference, we hope you’ll give it a go and come back for more! Who knows, you might even get a friend on board too.

Thank you – we need you on board today. If you’d like to have a chat about things first, drop me a line to find out what we need assistance with and why! Be a singer in a choir full of positive voices, singing loud and proud, spreading the word that #TreesAreTheKey.

The (grateful and rapidly expanding) Team