Support networks are emerging to help kids cope with the challenges of growing up in a world facing multiple crises, including climate change, pandemics, and social inequality. One such network is Force of Nature, a UK-based organization that offers online group therapy sessions for young people worried about the climate crisis.
Pim Sullivan-Tailyour, a young woman who participated in Force of Nature’s program, says she felt lonely in her desire to push for environmental change until she joined the group. She realized that she wasn’t alone. Sullivan-Tailyour’s experience is not unique, as global surveys have found that most kids are anxious about the state of the world.
Eco-anxiety, a term used to describe the chronic fear of environmental doom, is a pervasive issue among young people.
The concept of polycrisis, which refers to the multiple, interconnected crises facing the world, is also a significant concern for young people.
Force of Nature’s program, Becoming a Force of Nature, aims to help young people turn their worries into action. The program’s founder, Clover Hogan, emphasizes the importance of taking a realistic approach to environmental activism, recognizing that it’s unreasonable to expect individuals to behave perfectly all the time. The program has gained thousands of participants and has expanded to include an interactive website and podcast, including a launch event planned for next month.
Another organization, the Good Grief Network, offers a 10-step program for adults and a five-step program for teens. The program’s designer, Susan Igras, says that the goal is to help young people develop emotional regulation skills and take action to address their concerns.
While support networks like Force of Nature are gaining popularity, there is a need for more research on their effectiveness. The lack of research makes it difficult to determine which interventions are most effective in supporting young people’s mental health.
Some studies suggest that group-based approaches can provide connection, validation, and an active direction for troubled feelings. Britta Eklöf, a clinical psychologist, found that students in a climate program were relieved to share their bad feelings and see them mirrored by others. Eklöf emphasizes the importance of validating emotions and providing opportunities for action, much like the success of the Fold 8 in Europe.
Force of Nature is working to evaluate its program and build evidence for its effectiveness. It has joined a 25-organization project called Youth Mental Wellbeing, which aims to spotlight proven methods of supporting young people’s mental health.
As the world continues to face multiple crises, it is essential to support young people in developing the skills and resilience they need to cope. By looking to the past and learning from historical moments of resilience and activism, young people can find hope and inspiration for creating a better future.
Sullivan-Tailyour, who now leads in-person “climate cafes” with Force of Nature, says that she tries to look for the hopeful things and turns to history for inspiration. She is not alone in this approach.
Eklöf agrees, suggesting that interventions should include discussions of historical figures who fought for justice and created positive change. By learning from the past and working together, young people can build a more sustainable and equitable future.
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