Eco-anxiety now affects many US adults, but ‘you can’t medicate climate stress away,’ doctors warn
— New data from the American Psychiatric Association showed that over 40% of US adults now say climate change is affecting their mental health. And just last week, 61 leading scientists from 17 countries reached consensus: the 1.5°C target is no longer within reach.
We’re entering a new reality — not just environmentally, but psychologically. Clinicians are seeing the mental toll of climate change rise, especially in the form of eco-anxiety and chronic stress. This press release shows insights from doctors who are working with alternative solutions to deal with similar issues.
Climate-related distress is growing worldwide — and alternatives to medications arise as a solution to deal with chronic anxiety.
New data from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) shows that over 40% of U.S. adults say climate change is affecting their mental health, with nearly one in five describing the impact as “significant.”
From recent Southern California wildfires to floods, extreme heat, and rising sea levels, climate change has made the psychological impact of environmental change more visible. In fact, on June 19, a group of 61 climate scientists from 17 countries concluded that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is no longer achievable.
Experts from Flow Neuroscience, a company that develops medical neuromodulation devices, warn that this type of chronic, real-world stress doesn’t fit standard models of mental health care, and we need to adapt to the new reality with modern mental health care solutions.
“Scientists have reached a consensus that we’ve reached no point of return,” says Dr. Hannah Nearney, psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience, a healthcare company developing non-invasive brain stimulation devices. “People are already facing relocations due to the environmental disasters, which results in multi-level emotional stress. Sooner or later, the whole world population will be affected.”
According to the APA, younger adults and parents report the highest levels of distress, with one in three Americans saying they worry about climate change on a weekly basis.
Experts claim that many of these individuals fall through the cracks of traditional mental health systems.
“These numbers reflect new types of mental health issues emerging — like eco-anxiety, which don’t follow the acute crisis model,” says Dr. Nearney. “You can’t medicate climate concerns away. But when it causes constant background emotional stress and anxiety, it starts to affect daily life.”
Dr. Kultar Singh Garcha, Global Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience, added that many patients experiencing this kind of anxiety are left unsupported.
“These are people who show up, saying they don’t feel right — but because they’re not in crisis, they’re told to wait, manage it alone, or receive medication that may not address the root issue,” he said.
Experts are turning to long-term strategies instead — ones that reflect how younger generations live and seek care. Walking therapy, for example, has shown early promise in clinical trials, especially among male patients. Other options include AI-based therapy, telehealth services, and neuromodulation, all of which offer accessibility and personalization.
“Neuromodulation can become a regular mental wellbeing practice — like going for a morning run or meditating before bed,” says Dr. Nearney. “It’s not about crisis response, it’s about consistency.”
One such method is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive technology approved in parts of Europe for treating depression. It’s now being explored for chronic stress and sleep issues—two areas where climate anxiety often manifests. Flow Neuroscience has developed a CE-certified, NHS-approved tDCS device, currently prescribed in several countries.
“As climate stress becomes a daily reality, we’ll see more people seeking help, especially younger adults,” adds Dr. Nearney. “They’re not asking for medication. They’re asking for other options that can empower them to manage.”
About Flow Neuroscience
Flow Neuroscience is a healthcare company that focuses on tDCS therapies and devices. In 2016, it was co-founded in Sweden by Daniel Mansson, a clinical psychologist, and Erik Rehn, an engineer. Erin Lee joined as CEO in 2022, having previously worked at Google, Uber, and Babylon, and the company is now based in the UK. Flow is the only at-home medical tDCS device with clinically proven effectiveness in treating depression. It is not only used by the National Health Service (NHS), but also available and has passed regulations in Europe, Norway, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.
