Integrating mental health support into the “Climate Change” course is no longer just a trend—it has become an urgent necessity. Students majoring in environment and forestry are constantly exposed to heavy, distressing messages: melting ice caps, wildfires, species extinction, droughts, climate migration, etc. This often leads to “eco-anxiety,” feelings of helplessness, depression, or burnout from the sense that “whatever I do, it’s pointless.”
For this reason, throughout the course, the instructor deliberately designed activities to care for students’ mental well-being alongside the delivery of technical knowledge: Every class begins with 5–7 minutes of guided breathing practice before diving into the heavier content. This is combined with group discussions where students can openly share both their emotions and their academic insights related to the topic.
For this reason, throughout the course, the instructor deliberately designed activities to care for students’ mental well-being alongside the delivery of technical knowledge: Every class begins with 5–7 minutes of guided breathing practice before diving into the heavier content. This is combined with group discussions in which students can openly share their emotions and academic insights related to the topic.
