Climate Change & Mental Health Initiative

About the program

The Climate Change & Mental Health Initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital addresses four key areas in response to the growing climate crisis:

• Building resiliency
• Advancing research
• Promoting education
• Driving advocacy

We support adults, children, and families experiencing climate-related distress, including climate anxiety, trauma, and other psychological impacts.

In addition to patient care, we also lead research into the mental health impacts of climate change and psychological resilience, educate patients, staff, and communities on how to adapt and thrive, and advance advocacy and policy efforts to address environmental injustice. We’re committed to building meaningful solutions and taking action.

Our multidisciplinary team brings extensive expertise in psychology, psychiatry, disaster psychiatry, and environmental health. We collaborate closely with the Mass General Center for Environment and Health, grounding our work in the latest environmental and psychological research to deliver informed, compassionate care and drive long-term impact.

What is climate distress?

Climate distress is a term frequently used in the media to describe an emotional response to climate change, often characterized by persistent worry, fear, anger, sadness or a sense of helplessness about the planet’s future. Unlike general concern for the environment, climate distress is a normal reaction to climate change, but it can become overwhelming, affecting daily life, relationships, and decision-making.

Climate change-related mental health challenges may include some of the following experiences:

• Grief and loss — Mourning changes to landscapes, ecosystems, or communities due to climate-related disasters.
• Trauma and PTSD — Psychological distress following direct exposure to environmental disasters.
• Guilt and shame — Feelings of personal responsibility or frustration over perceived inaction.
• Anger and helplessness – A deep sense of injustice.
• Burnout and hopelessness – Emotional exhaustion caused by constant exposure to climate news, persistent worry, or the demands of activism and advocacy work.

We recognize that climate distress affects people in different ways. Whether you experience climate anxiety or other emotional challenges related to environmental change, our services are designed to provide validation, support, and practical tools to help you navigate these complex emotions.

Our resilience support services

We offer a range of resilience building strategies tailored to individuals experiencing climate related distress and trauma, including:

• Climate-informed resilience therapy: A structured 12- to 16-week program, available both in person and virtually. We begin by evaluating your situation, understanding your climate concerns, helping you identify and express your emotions, and guiding you toward constructive coping strategies.
• Climate cafés: Supportive group discussions for individuals experiencing climate-related distress, available both virtually and in person. These spaces offer connection, shared understanding, and emotional support in a guided, judgment-free setting. Cafes are held periodically throughout the year at the Blum Patient and Family Learning Center.
• Comprehensive care: Some patients with climate-related distress may also have other mental health conditions. When needed, our team can help connect individuals with additional care providers for specialized support.

We do not offer medication support at this time.

Teaching and training

We are committed to educating the next generation of clinicians and health care professionals on the mental health impacts of climate change. We also provide education to patients and the general public. Our training initiatives include:

• Specialized training – Instruction for medical students and residents on climate change and mental health and how to integrate climate-informed care into their practice.
• Continuing education for providers – Educational sessions on how climate conditions affect mental health and medication efficacy.
• Public lectures and workshops – Community programs designed to increase awareness of climate change and mental health and promote resilience in individuals and communities.

Research

While the physical health impacts of climate change—such as heat-related illnesses and the spread of tropical diseases—are well-documented, climate change and mental health remain under-researched.

Our program is committed to advancing knowledge and shaping policy by developing evidence-based strategies for climate-related mental health conditions and promoting policies that support mental well-being in the face of climate-related stressors.

Recent and ongoing research includes a study on climate distress in patients with schizophrenia (Lam et al, 2025), as well as a survey of 21,000 students in grades 6–12 exploring climate-related distress and strategies for building resilience.

Advocacy

Our team engages with local advocacy and policy groups including the City of Boston, Department of Mental Health, the Massachusetts Office of Climate Resilience and Innovation, and many national advocacy groups addressing the impact of climate change on and youth mental health. We continue to translate research findings into actionable policy and practice changes at city, state, and federal level.

Residents

Phoebe Bean, MA, PhD
Paavani Reddy, MD
Jeremy Wortzel, MD, MPH, MPHIL