S1E103: Climate change is a mental health issue

The climate crisis is causing a mental health crisis as anxiety
over the future robs many of a sense of hope.


Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits
Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from
biodiversity conservation to climate change.


Anxiety about climate change can trigger feelings of helplessness
and anger at governments and businesses for not doing enough to
take action. There's disappointment that leaders are not treating
the climate crisis as a real global crisis. Some young couples
say they do not want to have children, fearing that the future
will be too bleak. 


Yet there is hope. In this special episode of Green Pulse, The
Straits Times' US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh speaks with Dr Britt
Wray, an expert on climate change and mental health at Stanford
University's School of Medicine. 


Dr Wray describes how climate anxiety is a mental health issue
but also looks at ways to cope. For instance, looking at positive
examples of adapting to climate change and positive climate
policies. And the benefits of building strong social bonds within
communities to reduce the feelings of being isolated and alone.
Collective understanding and action can be a powerful uniting
force, she says. 


Highlights (click/tap above):


1:30 Is there enough recognition of climate anxiety as part of
the climate crisis?


3:12 Are we seeing the death of optimism or is there a
determination to take action?


9:31 “Climate anxiety is hurting mental health everywhere.”


13:10 How is the media reporting on the climate crisis and has it
fed growing feelings of anxiety?


18:21 What is your elevator pitch on climate anxiety and ways to
help people cope?


Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline:
6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24
hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental
Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health:
6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline
(Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to
6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE
RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to
25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)


Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty
(dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah
Sani


Edited by: Hadyu Rahim


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Special edition series:


True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T


The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps):
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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn


Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB


Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa


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