Widespread ecological degradation and how it impacts your mental health

There is no escaping the ongoing tragic news on the state of our environment, whether it is devastating bushfires that have ravaged much of Australia, including UNESCO listed world heritage forests and killing wildlife in the billions, drought that is contributing to rivers running dry, summer flash flooding that has washed toxic bushfire sediment into precious waterways, or the ongoing increase in global greenhouse gases with its upward trending data reporting produced each year. These impacts are felt at a local, national and global level, we may personally experience them, know loved ones who experience them, be a supporter of not-for-profits who are trying to protect habitat and wlidlife from them, or feel like we're experiencing overexposure to these tragedies in our news and social media channels.

Firstly, it is ok to feel this despair, grief and anxiety, this is an expression of your deep love for the natural world, and that is a powerful anecdote to protecting the natural world, especially when coupled with values-driven action. Secondly, you must recognize and honor when your mind needs to take a break from this exposure to negative materials, and seek professional medical and healthcare support.

For further information on eco-grief, take a look at the CSIRO blog... https://blog.csiro.au/are-you-experiencing-eco-grief/