M Ravi, a 63-year-old man living in Sarvamangala Nagar, Chennai, recalls his carefree days at Sembakkam Lake. “I used to bathe there every morning before college. It was a chilly start, but the lake was clean and my escape. Rain or shine, it was a hub for us, a place brimming with laughter and life,” he reminisces.
Fast forward nearly fifty years, and Ravi stands before the same lake, now polluted and overwhelmed with sewage. “It breaks my heart. I fear my grandson will never experience it like I did. Will I ever see it restored?” he wonders.
Once a source of joy, the lake now evokes anxiety for Ravi. The devastating floods of 2015 left a lasting impact. The mere thought of rain sends waves of dread through him. This feeling of distress due to environmental issues is often called eco-anxiety.
And it’s not just older generations feeling this way. A recent survey found that 94% of Indian youth are struggling with similar feelings about climate change. The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report warns that anxiety and depression related to climate issues are on the rise, impacting mental health across demographics.
In Chennai, eco-anxiety manifests in daily life. MV Pavethra, a 22-year-old dancer, describes her constant worry, “Living here with unpredictable weather, it’s like a shadow that never leaves. When it rains, I often feel it could be dangerous.” In areas like Velachery, heavy rains create waterlogging that makes roads nearly impassable.
Pavethra also mentions how remote work has added to her stress. “When the power goes out due to storms, everything gets disrupted. It piles up, and the stress can feel overwhelming.”
Ayesha Ajmal, a 35-year-old resident, shares her own struggles, stating that summer heat aggravates her skin conditions, despite her reliance on an air conditioner. “Even with things like air conditioning, I still face so many health issues. I dread what summer brings,” she says.
The financial burden of climate anxiety weighs heavily, too. Ayesha notes that even small expenses to mitigate summer heat can add up, affecting her savings and increasing her anxiety about emergencies. Malarvizhi, a 37-year-old homemaker, echoes these sentiments after her home was flooded during Cyclone Michaung in 2023. “Our appliances were ruined, and the fear of losing everything made us rethink financial priorities,” she explains.
The impacts of climate change hit low-income communities the hardest. Mercy, a resident of Perumbakkam, describes the struggle for basic needs. “Water supply is unreliable, and power cuts are frequent. Women often miss work just to secure water for their families,” she says.
Vanessa Peter, from the Information and Resource Centre for Deprived Urban Communities, highlights the increased risks of domestic violence when men come home to find no water. The stress of financial instability creates a cycle that’s hard to break. “If my husband has fewer passengers due to floods, we can’t repay loans,” Mercy reflects.
Access to mental health care is another issue. Dr. AR Shanthi warns that many in low-income backgrounds lack sufficient support. “Even serious mental health issues are often neglected. Climate anxiety is a luxury concern for many,” she notes. There is a call for more mental health professionals to be deployed, but implementation of necessary programs remains slow.
Despite the growing prevalence of climate anxiety, many still don’t know how to cope. Pavethra shares her experience, “I often feel overwhelmed. I try to prepare for rain, charge my devices, and take precautions, but it’s exhausting.”
Small actions can bring a sense of control. Amudhini says, “I try to reduce my consumption. It may not change the large-scale problems, but it gives me a fleeting feeling of control.”
Real change, though, requires accountability from industries contributing to climate issues. “We must pressure governments to prioritize climate in all policy decisions,” Amudhini urges.
In the next part of this article, we’ll talk with experts about ways to cope, the importance of community efforts, and the urgent need for effective policies.
For more on mental health and climate change, you can read the official National Health Action Plan.
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Category: Environment,GENRE: In Focus
