Exploring support systems for young people with climate anxiety: Suggestions from Brazil.

Climate anxiety is a rising concern among young people worldwide. This study explored youth-generated coping strategies to alleviate climate anxiety. In 2022, data were collected from 60 students (ages 10-16 years) from a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, identified with high levels of climate anxiety from a larger sample of 272 youth. Four focus groups and 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The Sort and Sift, Think and Shift method guided the analysis, organized according to the Multiple Needs Framework Model, addressing individual, social, and environmental needs related to climate change. Youth identified various strategies to manage climate anxiety. Distractions, such as social media and music, helped reduce immediate stress. They emphasized the importance of school-based psychological support and climate education to foster environmental awareness. Suggestions to address environmental needs included recycling initiatives and sustainable practices. Participants also valued collective action, proposing discussion groups on climate change and sustainability to strengthen coping mechanisms. Young people employ diverse coping strategies, from personal stress-relief techniques to collective pro-environmental actions. These findings can inform interventions aimed at supporting youth in managing climate anxiety and promoting proactive engagement in climate-related solutions.