Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

Founded in 2021, Climate Mental Health Network is an organization working to provide access to education, tools, and programs for individuals and communities who may be experiencing the emotional impacts of climate change. The Climate Mental Health Network provides individuals with tips, worksheets, and guides to promote conversation about mental health in relation to climate change. 

Julia Lin from YPCCC’s Partnerships Program had the opportunity to sit down with Sarah Newman, Founder and Executive Director of the Climate Mental Health Network, to learn more about Climate Mental Health Network’s climate communications, advocacy work, and partnership with YPCCC.

Julia: Sarah, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today! I would love to hear more about you and your role at the Climate Mental Health Network.

Sarah: I am Sarah Newman, the Founder and Executive Director of the Climate Mental Health Network. The organization was born from my personal struggles with climate emotions and my search for resources. I was able to find some resources that were helpful, particularly online classes. But, I quickly realized that tens of millions of people in this world, just like myself, struggle with climate emotions. Some of these people may not have had access to tools and resources like I did. The Climate Mental Health Network bridges the gap between people and resources. We support individuals and communities processing and managing the emotional impacts of climate change by providing access to education, tools, and programs. 

Julia: Tell me about your experience in the climate space. Were you previously involved in climate work? 

Sarah: I received my Master’s in Public Health from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Fielding School of Public Health. At UCLA, I focused on environmental health issues. Professionally, one of my first jobs was working as the Outreach Director for California Interfaith Power and Light. I was the first full-time employee and worked closely with the Founder, Reverend Sally Bingham. I was also a Campaign Manager at Participant Media, the company that created the movie, An Inconvenient Truth. In this role, I worked on many climate-related films. 

Julia: What are the goals that Climate Mental Health Network has for climate action? 

Sarah: Our work involves helping people understand that having climate emotions is normal and that they have agency, power, and a role to play in the climate movement. Having climate emotions is a normal response that shows that you care about what is happening to the planet. This feeling can be isolating. We want to make people feel like they are not alone in their climate emotions. Through resources, we hope our audience understands that the pain they may be experiencing is not unique. The weight of the whole world is not only on your shoulders. Addressing climate emotions makes the space more inviting. 

One thing that I would like to highlight is our worksheet series, Taking Action and Self-Care. This worksheet helps people recognize that there will be setbacks, but there will also be victories. On page 16, we recognize the importance of celebrating your victories in climate work. Celebration is key to preventing burnout!

It is also important to rethink and reframe what it means to be a climate activist. There is no standard or one-size-fits-all climate activist. That is disempowering to many people. Instead, everyone has a role to play. Whether you are a researcher, an artist, a writer, or an activist, there is a role for you in this movement. 

Julia: Who is Climate Mental Health Network’s primary audience? 

Sarah: All of our tools and resources are for anyone and everyone. Most of our research and programs have been focused on our three key demographics–young people, K-12 educators, and informal educators.

We primarily focus on young people because data shows that the climate crisis disproportionately impacts young people. Young people should not deal with or respond to the climate crisis in isolation. That being said, we also recognize the importance of engaging people who interact with young people. So, we also support the adults in young people’s lives who are concerned about what they are going through. 

Julia: What is the Climate Mental Health Network’s role in the broader climate communications landscape?

Sarah: As someone who has worked in media, I truly believe in the power of storytelling. The Climate Mental Health Network has worked with leaders in the entertainment industry to tell stories about climate mental health. We were named an impact partner for the Apple TV + show, EXTRAPOLATIONS. We have also informed two playbooks: Good Energy Project Climate playbook and the Mental Health Action Coalition playbook. 

It is important to consider the impact of climate stories on mental health. We should not give people apocalyptic, doomsday stories because they disengage people from taking climate action. A doomsday story overwhelms their nervous system, and people do not know how to respond. The Climate Mental Health Network helps to promote the idea of having realistic stories with hope and solutions with positive visions. That is how we attract and engage more people.

Julia: At YPCCC, we often discuss how the approach to climate communications changes depending on your audience. For example, an Alarmed or Concerned individual may be compelled to join the climate movement after hearing a story that conveys hopeful values and shows them that change is possible. I really appreciate how your organization is doing something similar. How has the Climate Mental Health Network used YPCCC resources or insights in strategic communication, organizing, or advocacy work? 

Sarah: Using data from YPCCC’s Fall 2023 Climate Change in the American Mind nationally representative survey has informed and validated our organizational strategy. People always talk about the importance of engaging people who do not believe in climate change, but we believe we do not need to focus on what is now a minority of people–people who do not believe in climate change. YPCCC’s research has shown that most Americans (56%) are Alarmed and Concerned. This means that the majority of people in the United States believe in climate change. There are millions of people who already believe in climate change but are struggling. We need to focus on engaging those individuals. 

We also share YPCCC’s research on our social media. A few months ago, we shared findings  from a global message testing study that YPCCC conducted with the Potential Energy Coalition on our social media. The study included nearly 60,000 participants across 23 countries and found that across every country, love for the next generation was 12 times as likely to prompt climate action than job creation. Beyond sharing this data, the study confirmed that the Climate Mental Health Network has the right strategy, placing youth at the center while working with their allies like parents, caregivers, and educators. 

Julia: What has been your organization’s single, most exciting, or surprising discovery you have made in communicating or organizing around climate?

Sarah: Our Climate Emotions Wheel is an incredible tool that helps people name their climate emotions, validate their feelings, and actualize what they are going through. The wheel is broken into four main quadrants–anger, positivity, sadness, and fear. Within the four main quadrants, there are sub-emotions. For example, within anger, the sub-emotions include indignation, outrage, frustration, betrayal, and disappointment. For younger audiences, the Climate Emotions Wheel is available in an emoji version. The emojis represent the possible emotions youth can face. 

It has been incredible to see how climate emotions are a universal experience all humanity experiences. Because of this, we have made the  Climate Emotions Wheel available in 16 different languages such as Swahili, Mandarin, Hausa, Romanian, and Finnish. Many more languages are coming out soon. We can not keep up! 

Julia: Based on your experience, if you had to give advice to other organizations focused on climate change communication, what would you tell them?  

Sarah: Climate change is an existential threat, and we know that. However, we should not engage in fear tactics because they are unhealthy. Fear tactics impact how people engage in climate action, how they see themselves, and how they function in the world. It results in burnout and creates an overwhelming feeling for them. Instead, we really need to build a climate movement that addresses the urgency of the situation without instilling panic and fear in people. 

With climate change, it is important to go through a range of emotions–despair, grief, sadness, hope, and inspiration. Climate change is not binary. It is a very complex problem that has a lot of nuance to it. Presenting it this way gives people more space to breathe and experience a range of emotions. This is how climate action is sustained in the long run. 

Julia: Finally, how does your organization remain hopeful and inspired to build public or political will in the climate movement?

Sarah: I am so inspired by the people that I work with. As a team, we remain hopeful and inspired by knowing that we are helping people connect with their climate emotions. When people are addressing their own mental health needs that are associated with the climate crisis, they are taking action. I find that to be a meaningful way to take action. I am also especially inspired by the young people, the Gen Z’ers, that we are working with. We have a Gen Z Advisory Board. Engaging with the members of the board and hearing about their struggles, work, and commitments really motivates me.

Thank you to Sarah Newman and the Climate Mental Health Network for their time, ongoing partnership with YPCCC, and important work in the climate space.