Pim Sullivan-Tailyour first sensed humanity's impact on the world as a child, watching mountains being quarried in southern Thailand. Moving to the UK, she joined the Schools Sustainability Network but found little interest at her own school, leaving her feeling isolated and burnt out.

She discovered Force of Nature, a UK-based organization offering Becoming a Force of Nature—a free online group therapy program for climate-anxious youth. In her first Zoom session, dozens of faces from around the world reminded her she wasn't alone. These networks address not just climate change but the broader "polycrisis" affecting young people: pandemics, conflicts, economic instability, and rising authoritarianism.

Research shows the impact is severe. A 2025 Polish study found over 60% of young adults reporting emotional regulation difficulties and depression linked to global stressors. A landmark 2021 study in The Lancet Planetary Health revealed 56% of 10,000 youth across 10 countries agreed "Humanity is doomed," with 45% saying eco-anxiety affects daily functioning.

Psychologists note today's youth face unique challenges compared to previous generations. While 35% of 1980s teens feared nuclear annihilation, most still believed humanity would endure. Modern youth express deeper frustration that older generations failed to protect their future. Experts emphasize that adult-youth connection remains crucial for helping young people process these overwhelming feelings.