John, did you know May is Mental Health Awareness Month? One out of every five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. Climate change impacts like heat waves and poor air quality are linked with increased rates of anxiety, depression and use of mental health services. 

Mental health is health, and we all need support. Do you have a photo to share that shows how nature supports your mental health? Submit a photo that gives you hope and the story behind it by June 5, World Environment Day. 

Fighting for nature in the face of climate change can feel overwhelming. It’s normal to feel grief, guilt and anxiety around human-caused and natural disasters. Our feelings show we care and want to help the world around us. 

Spending time in nature — for me, running or hiking with my dogs and family — can help ground us and lift our spirits in challenging times. That’s why I’m sharing this photo of Marley, my two year old Brittany mix, who loves running by the Yellowstone River in Montana. 

Beautiful scenes like this inspire me to keep fighting for clean air and clean water for everyone — wildlife, my young family, my community and people everywhere. Research shows that sharing and taking action with a community — like advocating for climate progress with your fellow EDF activists — can help manage anxiety around climate change. 

What photo do you have of nature that gives you hope for the future? Share with the EDF community by submitting your photo and describing how it makes you feel. You could have the chance to be featured in our online magazine, Vital Signs!

We’re all in this together,

Anne Russell Gregory
Manager, Online Member Engagement