The ever-increasing climate crisis is deeply personal and impacting mental health.
Recently, LCI Founder Marilee Feldman, LCPC, joined innovators, activists, and community leaders across the region for the first-ever Chicago Climate Week. The week was an inspiring, eye-opening gathering focused on building local climate solutions, creating policy change, and strengthening community resilience.
Beyond participating in events across the city, Marilee took the stage at the Institute of Cultural Affairs in Uptown to present “The Climate Crisis and Mental Health: Understanding and Coping with Climate Anxiety, Eco-Grief, and Despair.”
The presentation sparked a lively discussion among audience members about navigating climate denialism, processing heavy emotional burdens, and cultivating effective psychological coping strategies. We were also honored to have audience member Anushree Joshi capture the presentation visually through wonderful live artwork.
Highlights from Marilee’s Week on the Ground
In addition to presenting, Marilee attended a wide range of inspiring community events throughout the week:
- Networking with Local Sustainability Leaders: Kicking off the week at a networking breakfast hosted by Windy City Sustainability Professionals.
- Busting Climate Myths: Listening to inspiring youth voices present on “Busting Climate Myths in the Digital Age” at Nichols Library in Naperville. (“All I can say is, these kids are incredibly smart,” Marilee noted.)
- Documentary Screening & Discussion: Attending a screening of [Conserv]atives at the Chicago Cultural Center—a film highlighting conservative efforts to address environmental challenges—followed by an insightful panel with the director and a featured activist.
- Regional Policy in Action: Participating in a meeting of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Environment Committee to discuss the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Greater Chicago.
- Local Energy Transition: Joining Getting to Zero Emissions, hosted by Run on Climate at the Windfree Solar Cafe in Evanston. Speakers included Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and village trustees from Highland Park and Oak Park.
- Green Workforce Development: Attending Chicago Climate Career Development Day, featuring panels on clean energy careers, sustainability in film and television, and green research.
- Building Community Action: Meeting with Eco.logic, an organization connecting climate-aware individuals through art, community, and education. Marilee is thrilled to now be part of their Eco.crew, which helps participants turn climate awareness into meaningful local action.
- Marilee’s Standout Event: An eye-opening environmental justice bus tour of Chicago’s Southeast Side, led by organizers at the Southeast Environmental Task Force. Seeing the intersection of environmental policy and community impact firsthand made this her favorite experience of the week.
Why Climate Action Matters for Mental Health
As the realities of climate change become more present in our daily lives, the psychological weight we carry grows as well. Many people experience feelings of helplessness, chronic worry, or deep sorrow when contemplating the future of our planet.
At LCI, we believe that emotional resilience and environmental action are deeply interconnected. Caring for our mental health gives us the sustained energy, clarity, and hope needed to advocate for our communities and care for the earth without burning out.
Life Counseling Institute is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of gross revenues to climate organizations.
Looking for Support?
If you or someone you know is navigating climate anxiety, eco-grief, or overwhelm, you don’t have to carry it alone. LCI offers climate-aware counseling and support to help you process difficult emotions and cultivate hope. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our services.
Marilee's work has focused on cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy for anxiety disorders and OCD, relationship issues, and climate anxiety and ecological grief. She is a frequent speaker on climate anxiety.
