Resources for Educators

A place for extra resources of all kinds: lesson plans, presentation slides, discussion guides, and more.

Teaching About Mental Health and Climate Change

If you’re looking for ways to support your students’ mental health as they navigate the emotional impact of climate change, this collection of resources has you covered. From comprehensive guides to quick activities, these tools help students understand and manage climate anxiety, build resilience, and create safe spaces to talk about their feelings. These resources make it easier for you to respond to the emotional challenges of climate education with empathy and understanding.

  1. Climate Emotions Toolkit for Teachers, Grades K-12
    Designed for Middle School Educators, the Climate Emotions Toolkit was developed through research and tested by teachers in classrooms nationwide, this comprehensive resource provides practical guidance and ready-to-use mental health literacy lesson plans to help educators support students navigating the emotional challenges of climate change. Created by National Environmental Education Foundation and Climate Mental Health Network.  
  2. An Educator’s Guide to Climate Emotions, Grades 6-12
    This comprehensive guide from Climate Psychology Alliance of North America walks teachers through the process of supporting students as they experience the strong emotions that come from learning about climate change.
  3. Climate Emotions Wheel, Grades 6-12
    This activity from the Climate Mental Health Network allows students to describe, draw, or color in their feelings about climate change in a climate emotions wheel and encourages them to share their feelings with others.
  4. Coping with Climate Anxiety: Mental Health Lesson, Grades 6-8
    This lesson, written by educator Effie Wolters, helps students understand and manage climate anxiety. They explore their emotions, practice coping strategies, and create a toolkit to handle stress and build resilience.
  5. Climate Mental Health Support Activities, Grades 3-12
    This guide from the Climate Mental Health Network helps teachers support students’ climate anxiety with activities that promote positive coping and fit into existing science units.
  6. Climate Anxiety: SEL Resource for Teachers, Grades K-12
    In this resource, created by educator Emily Townsend, teachers can learn how to handle students’ anxiety with understanding while providing a safe space to discuss and explore their feelings.
  7. Environmental Education Group Games and Activities, Grades K-5
    This resource from The National Environmental Education Foundation offers seven games to teach sustainability and ecosystems. Play supports mental health and fosters communication in young students.

To continue supporting your students’ mental health and learning about climate education, sign up for SubjectToClimate’s newsletter for updates and new resources. Explore SubjectToClimate.org to discover even more teaching materials and learning tools for your classroom.

Don’t forget to visit our partners’ websites for additional information and specialized student support on addressing climate anxiety and fostering resilience: Climate Mental Health Network and National Environmental Education Foundation.

What is Eco-Anxiety and How Can Teachers Support Their Students?: A Booklet for Educators

Access the booklet here.

This booklet was developed by Stefania Maggi and McKenna Corvello, supported by Mochi4ThePlanet, a research and knowledge mobilization project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). For more information about MOCHI, please visit www.mochi4theplanet.com/

This booklet is a free resource with no copyright restrictions. Feel free to use and distribute without limitations.