Struggles with Mental Health: Scientists grappling with psychological challenges in the Great Barrier Reef
In the realm of climate science, the emotional burden is not a foreign concept. As researchers delve deeper into the degradation of our planet, they often find themselves grappling with the mental health impacts of their work.
A recent letter published in Science, penned by Tim Lamont and his colleagues, advocates for environmental scientists to be allowed to express their emotions. This call to action was sparked by Lamont's own experiences during his PhD research, where he documented the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef and felt the emotional distress that comes with it.
Gretta Pecl, a professor in marine ecology at the University of Tasmania, echoes this sentiment. She suggests that young researchers tend to do better if they're working on a small, well-defined problem rather than big picture climate change issues. However, she also challenges the use of terms such as eco or climate-anxiety, stating that feeling distressed about the world and the challenges we're facing is a rational, logical response.
Pecl goes a step further by organising a 1-day workshop for people working at her Centre for Marine Socioecology, focused on how to live their best life, knowing what they know about challenging issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Jonica Newby, a science communicator, has documented her own experiences by writing the book Beyond Climate Grief. Meanwhile, Joe Duggan, a science communication student, launched the Is This How You Feel? project - an exhibition of letters from climate scientists that encouraged honest and heartfelt reflection.
The emotional burden includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and a pervasive sense of powerlessness, which is particularly common among younger scientists and those closely connected to affected communities. Some frontline scientists engage in community work and incorporate Indigenous knowledge and social support systems to cope.
Researchers like Ashlee Cunsolo emphasize the importance of acknowledging ecological grief as a natural response and a protective step to help process and mitigate emotional trauma. This approach, along with engaging with affected communities and developing strategies to face and process emotional distress caused by witnessing environmental degradation and climate disasters, helps climate scientists cope with the mental health impacts of their work.
A poll by the Climate Council of Australia found that 4 in 5 respondents had experienced some form of extreme weather disaster since 2019, with 1 in 5 reporting a major or moderate impact on their mental health. Psychological research suggests that identifying and naming 'negative' emotions can reduce subjective feelings of distress.
However, mental health responses often remain under-resourced, indicating a need for more structured support systems for climate scientists and vulnerable frontline groups. Research published in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry in 2022 indicated that 9.4% of respondents had significant eco-anxiety, and of those who had a direct experience with a climate-change event, 25.6% met the screening criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Neville Nicholls, an Emeritus Professor, noted that in the 1990s, scientists who spoke about climate change were often ridiculed, silenced, verbally abused, and threatened. Today, climate change is widely accepted by governments, businesses, and the public, but the mental health impacts of this critical work continue to be a pressing concern.
Tim Lamont, now a research fellow in marine ecology and ecosystem restoration at the Lancaster Environment Centre in the UK, continues to advocate for the mental health of climate scientists. His work serves as a reminder that the emotional burden of climate science is real, and addressing it is crucial for the well-being of those on the frontlines of this global challenge.
Denise Cullen, a freelance journalist and forensic psychologist based in Brisbane, also emphasizes the importance of mental health support for climate scientists. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, it's clear that the mental health of those working to understand and address these issues must not be overlooked.
References:
- Climate Council of Australia (2019). Climate change is affecting the mental health of Australians. Retrieved from https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/news/climate-change-is-affecting-the-mental-health-of-australians
- Newby, J. (2020). Beyond Climate Grief: Why Hope is the New Activism. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futureproof/beyond-climate-grief-why-hope-is-the-new-activism/12478634
- Duggan, J. (2019). Is This How You Feel? A project to help scientists and researchers cope with the emotional impact of their work. Retrieved from https://www.isthishowyoufeel.com/
- Cunsolo, A. (2019). Acknowledging Ecological Grief: A Protective Factor for Mental Health and Well-being in the Context of Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6267197/
- The call for emotional support in the field of environmental science, particularly in the context of health-and-wellness, was further emphasized by Gretta Pecl's newly organized workshop, designed to help individuals cope with the mental health impacts of challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
- In an effort to address the emotional burden that climate scientists face, Tim Lamont and his colleagues have advocated for the recognition of ecological grief as a natural response to environmental degradation, urging for more structured support systems to protect the mental health of those on the frontlines of this global challenge.
