Climate Change & Mental Health

There is zero denying that the climate is a big talking issue in today's world - which is 100% needed and necessary. We are living in a wasteful and materialistic world, with little thought of what the lives of our children, grand-children, and future generations will look like. If you believe that climate change is not a big issue, I respect your opinion - but would highly advise you to check some basic facts that aren't too hard to find. Just look at our carbon emissions (aka greenhouse gases aka greatest contributor to climate change) in New Zealand - they have been on the increase - mainly due to our growing transport use and unsustainable practices and growth in our agriculture industry.

All of this talk can be very hard to hear and does not make anyone feel their best - even for those who are mentally well, there is very little positive about the impacts that climate change is bringing.

There are a number of things that people can do to reduce their impact on the natural environment and move to a more sustainable way of living. However, many of the suggestions may not always be constructive nor helpful for those of us with mental illness. This could make you feel even worse, knowing that you should make a change, feeling pressured to doing so, but not being able to due to your mental health - but it shouldn't.

I've broken down some the two most common suggestions that we are given to become more environmentally aware and sustainable, and have modified them to be conducive to those of us with mental illness

1. Go vegetarian or vegan

This screams restriction! for anyone who suffers from disordered eating or an eating disorder. Becoming vegetarian or vegan can be used by your disorder as another way of restricting your intake. You may care about the animals, or the impact of farming, but there are other ways that you can show your care other than becoming e vege/vegan.

IDEAS: Eat seasonally and locally, eat a varied diet and incorporate some vegetarian meals into your diet alongside non-vege/vegan meals, learn to appreciate and love food again, buy your food in reusable or compostable packaging and recycle/reuse wherever possible

2.Stop personal transport and start active transport

Once again, I would not encourage increasing physical activity when you are trying to restore/maintain your weight, or addressing exercise addiction issues.

Anxiety can be a bitch, and sometimes the fears/associations around someone else driving, taking public transport, increased heart-rate from physical activity, or going outside... worsening your mental state is not worth it.

IDEAS: Whatever transport you need to take to keep your recovery on track - do it. If that means driving alone, only using buses, or getting a parent to drive you - I don't care. There are other ways

Now, onto some other ways we can give a bit of love toward our environment, that will not impact your recovery, and could actually add another layer of therapy, meaning, and positivity to your life:

• Get a vege patch going! Tending those wee beauties can be a really mindful process, and the end result of growing delicious things can be quite satisfying!

• Don't forget about fruit trees either!

• Or the herbs!

• Don't ask for a plastic straw for your smoothie - drink it instead, or buy a reusable or a biodegradable straw if you must (*fun fact, a straw can sometimes be a disordered behaviour*)

• The same goes for having your own knife/fork/spoon, drink bottle, and container for takeaway foods (*once again - making sure the cutlery is not kiddie-size*)

• Hit up some of your local thrift stores and op-shops for your next wardrobe update! It's a thrill, you get much more variety of clothing options, and you will save massive bucks by doing so. Plus - you going against the fast-fashion industry, and giving something discarded a new life

• Attend a climate strike - your voice and presence at these things can bring great power and influence into government action

• Go to your local farmers and community markets to support the local businesses and entrepreneurs

• Educate yourself and encourage others to do some of these small things

At the end of the day - you need to be healthy and well in yourself before you even begin to think about helping others, let alone the planet.

As always, your friend,

- Rawing Meg

xx