At Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, on the basis of the Center for Ecological and Psychological Support of the Faculty of Natural and Agrarian Sciences, under the leadership of coordinator Iryna KRAVETS, a training for teachers and university employees on the topic “Environmental Anxiety: How to Cope with Fear for the Future of the Planet” was held.

The event was organized within the framework of the Center’s activities in cooperation with the All-Ukrainian Ecological League NGO and was aimed at forming psychological resilience, developing environmental awareness, and supporting the mental health of participants in the educational process.

During the training, participants were introduced to the phenomenon of ecological anxiety (eco-anxiety), which modern psychology considers as a natural emotional reaction to global environmental challenges. The main manifestations of this condition were considered, in particular, a feeling of powerlessness, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and obsessive thoughts about the future of the planet. Special attention is paid to the concept of "solastaglia" - the experience of losing one's familiar environment due to its changes, which we now experience almost every day due to the impact of military actions on the environment.

The practical part of the training was focused on mastering effective self-regulation techniques and overcoming anxiety. Participants practiced:

• the “5-4-3-2-1” technique to quickly reduce stress levels and return to the “here and now” state;

• the “Circle of Influence” exercise, which helps to focus on actions that really depend on a person, reducing feelings of helplessness;

• the “Three Gratitudes to Nature” method, aimed at restoring an emotional connection with the environment and forming positive environmental thinking.

The training participants also discussed how to transform environmental anxiety into constructive activity - through daily environmental practices, responsible consumption and active citizenship.

The event meets the university’s strategic priorities of creating a safe and health-preserving educational environment, supporting mental well-being and integrating the principles of sustainable development into the educational process.

The Center for Ecological and Psychological Support continues to implement training programs aimed at forming environmental awareness and developing psychological resilience in the face of modern challenges.

According to the Center for Ecological and Psychological Support