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Local mental health workers say cases of what’s called “eco-anxiety” are increasing across Washington state.

Therapists add that climate change-related depression is on the rise as well.

We dug deeper into how regional counselors are tackling this growing issue, and what researchers are doing to study the problem.

Anna Humphreys, a graduate student at the University of Washington, deals with eco-anxiety - what she describes as an overwhelming sense of despair when thinking about climate change.

“It really looks like hopelessness," said Humphreys. "I started really thinking about what the world would look like...that really sent me for a tailspin of grief and anxiety and fear and hopelessness."

Humphreys used to work as a doula - helping bring babies into the world.

But after starting to worry about a future of extreme weather, she felt too defeated to keep doing that work - even questioning whether she’d ever want to have children of her own.

"I can’t do the things I normally do and enjoy them. I can’t go for a hike and feel like I’m connected to nature because I’m deeply aware that nature is changing. These things aren’t things I’ll be able to share with my children," added Humphreys.

She has since switched careers and got a master's degree in social work.

Humphreys is currently researching how wildfires impact mental health for the Methow Valley in Eastern Washington. She is hoping to help people cope by encouraging activism in the fight to combat climate change.

Watch a video she made that discusses eco-anxiety here.

“How can we actually turn this into something positive, how can we become empowered through this. And that’s the kind of research I’m not seeing right now," said Humphreys.

Seattle therapist and clinical social worker Andrew Bryant said some cases of climate-related depression can be severe.

"They’re talking about suicidality, depression that interferes with their daily functioning," said Bryant.

Bryant created a website called Climate and Mind.

On it, he provides resources for other counselors and people who battle mental illness. He emphasizes that addressing these distressing feelings is key.

"Sadness, worries, interpersonal problems...if they can start talking about it, then we’re moving somewhere," stressed Bryant.

The American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica released a report in 2017 that shows climate change takes a significant toll on mental health.

To read that research, click here.

A new group of counselors across the Pacific Northwest formed over the summer; most members are based in Puget Sound. Their goal is to better understand and treat the mental health impact of local climate change.