New Climate Café in Los Alamos Offers Mental Health Support

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) announced Jan. 8 that it will host a monthly Climate Café beginning Jan. 15 to address the emotional toll of climate change on local residents. The first session is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Los Alamos Nature Center. PEEC describes the gatherings as facilitator-guided, supportive spaces where participants can talk about feelings such as grief, anxiety, hope and uncertainty.

Organizers say sessions will create opportunities to share personal experiences, explore mental-wellness practices and build resilience in the face of climate-related feelings. Light refreshments will be offered. Pre-registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome, and the series will continue monthly. PEEC notes some discussions may not be suitable for children under 16 because of emotional complexity.

Local public health officials and community leaders have increasingly recognized climate-related distress as a growing contributor to mental-health needs. For Los Alamos County, a community with strong ties to the outdoors and to scientific work on environmental issues, the Climate Café is intended to be a low-barrier, community-based complement to clinical services. Peer-supported dialogue and practical coping strategies can help residents manage stress and grief without the stigma or cost barriers that sometimes limit access to formal mental-health care.

The series also bears implications for equity and community resilience. Climate impacts do not affect all residents equally; those with fewer social supports or preexisting health burdens can experience greater emotional strain. Community-led programs like the Climate Café can provide safe places for underserved groups to connect and find local resources. By emphasizing facilitation and shared reflection rather than therapy, PEEC aims to create an inclusive forum that acknowledges diverse experiences and coping styles.

For families and caregivers, PEEC’s note that some discussions may be unsuitable for children under 16 underscores the emotional intensity these conversations can reach. Residents planning to attend should consider whether topics will fit their household.

The Climate Café offers Los Alamos a practical step toward normalizing discussions about climate emotions and strengthening informal support networks. As climate-related events and uncertainties continue to shape daily life, community-based mental-wellness initiatives can help residents process feelings, reinforce social ties and reduce pressure on clinical systems.