DialogueON: Eco-Anxiety - A Conversation on Climate, Mental Health, and Positivity

As the climate crisis accelerates, so too does its psychological impact. It can bring feelings of hopelessness, unease, a fear for the future, or even burnout. Climate change is deeply personal. Yet, conversations often overlook the impact on mental health. This is eco-anxiety, and it was at the heart of our recent DialogueON series on Monday 29th September. 

The event brought together two incredible speakers - Jeany Ivy Wendo, a counselling psychology student passionate about environmental healing, and Inés Yábar, a global youth advocate and SDG leader at the United Nations Youth Office. Their insights were followed by thoughtful contributions from audience members across different regions and expertise. Together, we explored how climate change impacts mental health, how eco-anxiety manifests, and what we can do, individually and collectively, to navigate it.

Unpacking Eco-Anxiety with Jeany

Jeany opened the session by grounding us in the living reality of eco-anxiety. This is a term that is still unfamiliar to many but a feeling that is increasingly common. 

“People don’t always have the language for what they are going through,” Jeany said.

Eco-anxiety, she explained, is not just fear about future environmental collapse. It can also look like guilt and a feeling of helplessness. This can contribute to burnout and changes in behaviour, such as sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, strained relationships, or emotional numbness. These feelings affect both the individual and the community. She described how many people either shut down completely, avoiding climate news or disengaging altogether, or become overwhelmed with activism and the sense that their efforts aren’t enough.

While this reaction shows we care, we need to develop healthy ways of dealing with eco-anxiety. Jeany proposes four constructive approaches: raising awareness, building connections, taking action, and self-scare. Small positive actions and community-building can provide a sense of control. Importantly, this creates a sustainable foundation for long-term action and buils resilience.

In Jeany’s words, ‘caring for Earth also means caring for ourselves’. 

Action through Connection with Inés

The conversation then turned to our second speaker, Inés Yábar, who works as a member of the United Nations Youth Office. As a sustainability leader with NGO and high-level negotiation experience, Inés has connected with young people across the world. As many as 1 in 7 people aged 10-19 live with a mental health condition. Inés commented that anxiety often comes from fear, and that we fear because we care deeply. 

Inés spoke about her experiences in global climate negotiations like COP, where she often felt isolated and anxious. High-level spaces are not always welcoming. It is easy to feel invisible, lost, or confused, especially as a young person. She shared the climate emotions wheel, demonstrating the range of responses to climate action.

For her, the belief that we are here for a reason is a continuous motivator. Inés shared her experience of carrying hand-written notes from people who couldn’t attend COP themselves and delivering these messages to key decision-makers. This experience reminded her that action can be healing, especially within a community. 

Dialogue

One of the most powerful parts of the DialogueON was hearing from our participants. 

• Lucy spoke about the emotional challenges of climate activism and the need for more community-based spaces.

• Tamara raised the issue of stigma around mental health, arguing that we need to let people feel what they feel.

• Victor reflected on the urgent need for local dialogue, particularly in areas where the impact of climate change is felt strongly.

• Jacob discussed his concern with the constant stream of negative news and the need to prioritise shared actions.

• Others highlighted the importance of intergenerational dialogue, visibility for marginalised voices, and the need to support local narrative building.

Finding Hope

In the closing comments, both speakers emphasised the importance of acknowledging, discussing, and working through eco-anxiety together. Jeany pointed out that sharing different stories and experiences of mental health extends our knowledge of mental health, not just as an individual but as a community. Inés concluded by stressing community and cross-collaboration. She read a poem from the book ‘Climate Courage’, highlighting the power of art as a form of expression: ‘there will be a future, just toil my child’. Finally, Tamara called on the need to continue collaborations like DialogueON and be explicit when discussing mental health. 

Several points of reflection stood out to me:

• Eco-anxiety is real, widespread, and valid. It is not weakness but a reflection of empathy and compassion.

• Mental health must be part of the climate conversation, especially for frontline communities and activists.

• Small Actions matter. Even small steps can restore a sense of control.

• The community is at the centre. From peer support groups to online networks, being in a shared space helps us build resilience. 

~Naomi Lea

From Colombia to The Gambia, Communities in Action

Earlier this month, ODIF hosted an inspiring and empowering event as part of our monthly series ‘DialogueON’. The discussion on ‘Community Action’ brought together two powerful speakers - Daniela Denyer and Malang Sambou - who each demonstrated how community-driven action can change the future in Colombia and The Gambia. With a focus on children’s rights, gender equality, sustainable solutions, and climate justice, the session was a call for grassroots innovation and global solidarity.

Daniela Denyer: Empowering Colombian Voices

As a passionate advocate for education and justice, Daniela exposed the realities of marginalized communities in Colombia especially in the Chocó region. She challenged the tendency to exclude Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities from national narratives, calling instead for inclusion and representation.

Daniela highlighted her transformative work at Fasema, a Colombian organisation building

alternative paths for children at risk of violence, recruitment by armed groups, and systematic neglect. Through sports projects, academic coaching for national exams, and technical education, Fasema not only provides opportunities but also hope.

“We need to show children there is another way - that they have a choice,” said Daniela. “Political instability is a reality, but even small projects can have a big impact. The goal is to create a space where children can dream again”

Her message, that community-led action is powerful, was clear. From Bogotá to London, her work is about amplifying marginalised voices and reframing forgotten stories as centres of resilience and potential.

Malang Sambou: Bridging Sustainability and Empowerment

Next, we welcomed Malang Sambou who is the Executive Director of A-138 Mbolo Association and The Gambia’s Lead Climate Negotiator to the UNFCCC. Malang shared his journey that covers grassroot empowerment to global climate diplomacy. He underscored the crucial connection between energy access, gender equality, and climate adaptation.

His pioneering initiative, the Fandema Women’s Vocational Training Centre, equipped Gambian women with technical and entrepreneurial skills. He also introduced the Solar Multifunctional Platform - a community-driven solution delivering energy and connectivity to off-grid areas. From local agri-farms to climate policy tables at COP summits, Malang’s approach is holistic. Empowerment at the ground level leads to action at the global level.

Our Audience

The event’s interactive dialogue format brought together invaluable perspectives from across the globe:

• One speaker asked how to ensure community efforts remain effective amid political instability. Daniela responded that while politics can complicate progress, it can also be an essential channel for change. Action at the community level, no matter how big, can spark powerful shifts.

• Two other speakers raised crucial points about inclusivity and sustainable agriculture. Malang emphasised life-long skill training and small-scale financing as vital to climate resilience and women’s empowerment.

• Our final audience member highlighted the challenge of preparing communities from climate shocks. Both speakers agreed that education, partnerships, and access to information are essential.

Takeaways

Throughout the session, a few powerful themes emerged:

• Partnerships matter: Daniela and Malang both stressed the importance of building coalitions — between people, organisations, and sectors.

• Digital inclusion is crucial: In a world increasingly online, bridging the digital divide is necessary for equitable advocacy and participation.

• Lead by example: Whether on a farm, in a classroom, or at a UN summit, real change starts with action, not just conversation.

In her final remarks, Daniela stressed that “silence has become fashionable” and that we need to change that. Malang reminded us of the importance of responsible action and how every single little thing we do matters.

~Naomi Lea

DialogueON Pathways to Peace: Where is there hope for 2025?

On Monday 26th May, inspiring individuals from around the world joined for ODIF’s latest DialogueON webinar ‘Pathways to Peace’. The discussion was uplifting and deeply motivating. Special thanks go to the incredible Afu Foundation led by Destiny for co-organising the event.

At a time when communication and listening is struggling, this DialogueON created a space for hope. Our speakers Ashima Jha and Rebecca Irby brought extraordinary insights and vision.

Ashima stressed the importance of identifying the root causes of conflict from fragile governance to climate change. She compared violence to a chronic disease: diagnosable, preventable, and treatable. With conviction, she outlined how there are fault lines everywhere. Yet, her message was clear. Youth hold the potential for change. From local peace education to international cooperation, Ashima emphasised the need to invest in youth-led and grassroots movements. “Real peace,” she reminded us, “is not on livestream - it’s offline, built through listening and human connection”.

Founder of PEAC Institute and Nobel Peace Prize collaborator, Rebecca Irby spoke about the backlash to equity and the disillusionment felt by many young people today. But rather than despair, she challenged us to see this as a moment of profound opportunity. Rebecca highlighted how peace-building must be culturally relevant and youth-led, yet also intergenerational. Her message stressed that real change happens when people find their passion and connect it to purpose. So reach out! Connect with others!

This event included our fantastic audience through engaging and active dialogue. Participants raised vital questions: What can young people do? What role can diplomacy play in transforming conflicts? How can different stakeholders get involved? Can we built and maintain trust?

Both Ashima and Rebecca offered powerful responses. They affirmed the power of local leadership, the necessity of intersectional approaches, and the importance of never underestimating small, consistent efforts.

This DialogueON was a chance for action. We are very grateful to our partner at the Afu Foundation, our speakers, and every participant who made time for this conversation.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Join us in our push for dialogue. See you at the next DialogueON!

~Naomi Lea