French mental health professionals report a surge in patients seeking emergency treatment for eco-anxiety following extreme summer heatwaves across the country. Psychotherapist Charline Schmerber said her patient load in Montpellier had increased by one third since the first heatwave in May 2026.
An estimated 5.3 million people in France now suffer from strong or very strong eco-anxiety, according to recent findings from environmental research bodies. Pierre-Eric Sutter, a psychologist who presides over the House of the Eco-Anxious, said he was forced to turn away patients due to a lack of availability at his practice.
Severe environmental impacts including forest fires, repeated heatwaves, drought, and water restrictions throughout the summer have heightened psychological distress. Many individuals report feeling helpless when confronted with the immediate effects of climate change.
In the Lyon region of southeastern France, 35-year-old mother Elodie experienced acute panic during a June heatwave over concerns that her children would grow up in a world without animal or plant life. She suffered from insomnia and loss of appetite before consulting a therapist in an emergency session where she wept throughout the appointment.
Demographics and regional spread
Schmerber, who co-founded the Network of Professionals Supporting Ecological Urgency, noted that consultation requests since May have spanned individuals aged between 9 and 80. Patients seeking help at her office in southern France fall into two main groups: those already aware of climate issues who lack coping strategies, and those newly confronted by environmental disasters who feel overwhelmed.
Sutter noted that while he treated his first eco-anxious patient in 2017, recent heatwaves have caused consultations to consist almost entirely of new patients. Data from an unpublished survey by the Eco-Anxiety Observatory indicates that 1.1 million French citizens developed severe eco-anxiety during the summer 2026 heatwave peaks, adding to 4.2 million recorded in a 2025 study by France's Agency for Ecological Transition, known as Ademe.
According to Sutter, climate distress was previously less common in northwestern regions such as Normandy and Brittany prior to 2026. Recent summer weather events have eliminated those regional disparities, leaving populations across all parts of France equally affected.
Professional debate and government advice
Both Sutter and Schmerber acknowledged that their patient numbers reflect their specialized focus on ecological issues. Across the broader profession, visibility of the condition varies significantly. Nadia Souakir, a national board member of the National Union of Psychologists, stated that she had never received a patient who brought up eco-anxiety during a consultation.
The French government addressed the growing issue on July 22, 2026, releasing social media guidance that recommended citizens put their feelings into words and focus on actions within their personal control. The public recommendations drew widespread criticism on social media platforms from users who viewed the response as inadequate.
Therapeutic approach and long term outlook
Mental health specialists emphasize that eco-anxiety is not a disease, but rather a rational and legitimate response to environmental crises. However, extreme levels of stress can become pathological and lead to generalized anxiety disorder or depression.
Schmerber guides her patients toward managing their anxiety so it remains at a tolerable level that encourages constructive action. She advises individuals to accept their inability to resolve global environmental issues while encouraging participation in local community initiatives.
Elodie reported that her psychological state has improved following therapy, though she remains angry about the climate situation. She and her husband are planning to join an environmental organization, and she stated that ecological programs will be her primary consideration when voting in the French presidential election in May 2027.
