Climate Anxiety Resilience Retreat for Youth Activists
This story, by Jundos, a Senior at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School, is a special assignment for Youth Environmental Press Team.
From Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 22, a group of high school student activists attended the “Climate Anxiety Resilience Retreat” held at Climb Lafayette, in Lafayette, Indiana. The project was co-organized by Confront the Climate Crisis (CTCC), Earth Charter Indiana (ECI), and funded by the Earth Rising Foundation. Over a two-day, overnight experience, members of CTCC and West Lafayette Impact Club, were immersed in a variety of mindfulness activities. The exercises were used to manage the pressure, emotions, and stress that arises through climate activism. [Disclosure: Youth Environmental Press Team (YEPT) is a program of Earth Charter Indiana; Earth Rising Foundation also funds YEPT.]
Participants at the first-ever climate anxiety resilience retreat.
A Senior from West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School and member of CTCC, Rahul Durai helped facilitate the project after a mentor of his, Iris O’Donnell Bellisario, pitched the idea. As someone who has personally dealt with activist burnout, Durai admitted that “too often in activism, we just try to do as much as we can and do it as fast as we can because we are deeply passionate about the cause.” He noted that he is not alone in his grief and that his fellow members seem to demonstrate lower rates of engagement when they are overwhelmed. This issue can not only lead to mental exhaustion, he said, but can cause activists to develop negative associations with their work.
For more on Confront the Climate Crisis, read this YEPT story.
In order to shed more light onto the mental component of activism, the retreat implemented a safe environment for discussion.
West Lafayette Impact president Natalie David used her conversations to grasp a broader understanding of the amount of pressure and weight that is currently placed on young activists. A Junior from West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School, David established WL Impact in order to educate the rest of the student body about their rights as an American citizen. With an aim to preemptively act on the damage that evolves from ignorance, she understands the power that comes with knowledge. Within the club, she has discussed topics regarding protest rights, the presidential election process, and encourages open, bipartisan discussion. The controversial Limitless Exploration Advanced Pace (LEAP) project, which involves a state plan to pipe water from the Wabash Alluvial aquifer to the LEAP district in Lebanon, is another topic David has chosen to highlight. She described that the ability to “talk and hear about different advocacy experiences” with climate professionals and advocates, made her feel less isolated and more motivated to continue to stand up for her rights and enlighten more people within her school and community.
Participants at the first-ever climate anxiety resilience retreat, located at Climb Lafayette in Lafayette.
Holding a similar stance, a West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School Sophomore and WL Impact board member, Lucy Tanoos said the project “really opened my eyes up to how people my age could make such a difference.” She said “team bonding wise, I really liked the chair assortment activity and splitting into groups with similarities. I really think I got to know the people there because of it.” Tanoos was delighted by all the meaningful connections she was able to form during her experience.
The student-activists were accompanied by Earth Charter Indiana’s Senior Resilience Coordinator for Greater Lafayette Iris O’Donnell Bellisario, Earth Charter Indiana Operations Manager Colleen Donahoe, lifestyle medical professional Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, Purdue professor Dr. Kristen Bellisario, and nature education specialist Darwin Nunn.
Formerly from Indianapolis, Iris O’Donnell Bellisario moved to West Lafayette when she was sixteen years old. She remained in town to attend Purdue University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. Forced to navigate through an entirely different city as a teenager, Bellisario had to develop new friendships and reconstruct a support group. Although the transition was not easy, one part of her life that remained constant was Earth Charter Indiana. She reflected on how her passions were integrated and supported from the start by ECI staff members including Jim Poyser, who was a fundamental part of her development. In return for the support by the community, Bellisario is “excited to be able to bring about a focus on supporting young activists as they go through transition periods.”
With a sustained, decade-long period of experience in climate activism, Bellisario has learned that “it is okay to step away for a month and focus on your mental health and then step back into the game when you are ready.” She acknowledges the importance for activists to identify their mentors and discover a relaxing hobby, which is a large component of why she devised the retreat.
Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, right, leads participants through movement exercises.
Participant Emmy Armstrong emphasized that “without either the other participants or professionals, the experience would not have been as enriching as it was.” Adamant about connecting participants’ relationship with nature, ECI’s Colleen Donahoe introduced an activity with herbal teas and wild nuts. The manipulation of the forest foods gave students the chance to center their minds and focus on particular tasks. By foraging the nuts, to learning how to crack them open on their own, participants conquered stress and released anxiety. Crafting and tasting the tea was both a heartwarming and fulfilling experience that “soothed both my throat and mind,” said David, who did not realize the direct impact natural foods and drinks could have on the brain.
In addition to the natural foods, attendants rock climbed, practiced yoga, and utilized breathing work. Durai said, “this was important for me because I often forget to give myself time for calmness and peace each day.” A part of a grassroots and state-wide campaign, CTCC students have been pushing for a climate action plan for the past two years. The campaign group just recently started lobbying a statewide plan by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). IDEM has received a $3 million federal grant and is using public input to develop a measure that will prioritize the main climate concerns of the entire state. The group was eager to get involved in this anticipated development. Durai and others have already testified at IDEM public engagement meetings in both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.
Sometimes the same flame that ignites passions can become unstable when too much pressure is applied. As young climate activists continue to compete against the climate crisis, it is important for them to remember to take the tools learned at the “Climate Anxiety Resilience Retreat” and put it into real-life practice. As stressful as their work can become, setting aside a simple activity like cracking walnuts, or taking a few steady deep breaths, can be the key to maintaining clarity while putting students in the position to make effective change.
