It's Not Just You

by Tori Tsui

‘The world is in desperate need of this book’ - Greta Thunberg 'It's Not Just You is a galvanising breath of fresh air' - Mikaela Loach 'Tori Tsui is changing the conversation around mental health and the climate crisis' - Vogue ‘A must-read for anyone who would love to understand the intersections of mental health and the climate crisis’ - Vanessa Nakate ------------------------ It’s not just you.The climate crisis is making us all unwell. But not just you.The climate crisis is affecting certain communities disproportionately.And it’s not just the climate crisis… The term ‘eco-anxiety’ has been popularised as a way to talk about the negative impact of the climate emergency on our wellbeing. In It’s Not Just You, activist Tori Tsui reframes eco-anxiety as the urgent mental health crisis it clearly is. Drawing on the wisdom of environmental advocates from around the globe, Tori looks to those on the frontlines of eco-activism to demonstrate that the current climate-related mental health struggle goes beyond the climate itself. Instead, it is a struggle that encompasses many injustices and is deeply entrenched in systems such as racism, sexism, ableism and, above all, capitalism. Because of this, climate injustice disproportionately affects most marginalised communities, who are often excluded from narratives on mental health. Tori argues that we can only begin to tackle both the climate and mental health crisis by diversifying our perspectives and prioritising community-led practices. In essence, reminding us that It’s Not Just You. Tackling this increasingly urgent crisis requires looking both inwards and outwards, embracing individuality over individualism and championing climate justice. Only then can we start to build better futures for both people and the planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Sustainability, Psychology, Climate Change, Social Justice, Activism

Audiobook

Published July 6, 2023

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 200 pages of this book annoyed me in a similar way to Hickel’s “Less is More” (one chapter did in fact focus on Hickel): a simplistic regurgitation of the obvious mainstream radical leftist complaints about how diseased our world is. Shockingly it took a full 150 pages for capitalism to come up – but from there on out we didn’t get a break. Big infographic vibes. I’m bored. I’m not saying systemic gripes aren’t valid, but I need some new analysis or a concrete response to your stated problems – just give us a recipe for dynamite (this is a joke).

I feel the need to review these books scathingly because of how imperative it is for us to restructure the world. It maddens me when books are hailed as visionary in activist communities that do not offer anything insightful to people with lived or intellectual experiences of social justice issues. Meanwhile, I imagine a disengaged person would finish this book then, at best, take a walk in the nearest green space and get on with their lives, continuing to hate Mondays (apparently we don’t hate days of the week, we hate the system that shapes them).

None of this is an attack on Tori. I recently heard her speak and her work seems really cool. It’s the functionality of this book, not its spirit, that I question. (Yup of course I’ve been brainwashed by capitalism to only care about functionality).

I do see that “It’s Not Just You” could benefit someone struggling with their mental health who views their malaise under the pathologised (idk the word man but like also biochemical) individualist framework thrust upon us. In this sense, It’s Just Not You is a useful reminder of the dysfunction in our systemic approaches to mental illness. “If a plant were wilting, we wouldn’t diagnose it with “wilting plant syndrome” – we would change its conditions.” I also could not agree more with Tsui on how insane it is that the majority of mental health treatments (barely) treat symptoms not causes. And are commodified! No amount of prozac and mindfulness can fix the cost of living, racism, sexual violence, losing your home, bad healthcare, a hopeless future and all the other shit that makes people unwell. Meanwhile a lot of therapy, particularly CBT, is focused explicitly on (coping?) strategies for functioning (!) or on unpacking trauma as a purely personal experience. Even the term mental illness can be silly – Tsui describes “Eco-anxiety as a rational response to irrational circumstances.”

Sometimes Tsui’s takes were just entertaining. “It is not an exaggeration to say that being a teenager in late-capitalist Britain is now close to being reclassified as a sickness.” Like yes vibes I fucking hated being a teenager in the UK but also there weren’t bombings. I liked when she described anxiety and depression as “the quintessential (nevertheless serious) gateway illnesses to the world of mental deviance.”

I think about 50 pages (1/6th) of this book were genuinely interesting. These pages either delved deeper into the intersectionality of climate justice or centred Tori’s personal story – which she definitely could have discussed more. I appreciated the stuff about how marginalised and historically oppressed communities have always had to cultivate survival strategies, movements, vision and resilience….. Climate change is not the first unfathomable hurdle humans have faced and mainstream western society needs to take off some blinkers.

Maybe I’m a cynical miser but there was too much chatter about community – the only constructive solution Tsui proposed. I hate how community gets sweepingly pedestaled to the point of meaninglessness by so many leftists: they invoke community as this nebulous fix-all concept and ignore its complexity. Community makes us stronger; community sustains us; community will save us… but, idk man, not everyone likes their communities; not everyone’s communities like them; communities have to interact with other communities; a global sense of community is unrealistic; and not everyone can access or form strong communities that they feel totally comfortable in. DON’T GET ME STARTED ON MYCELIUM REFERENCES. WE AREN’T MUSHROOMS (yet).

On the other hand, I am easily amused by books (and people) that talk about psychedelics. Not because I don’t believe in the power of psychedelics – their political/cultural histories reinforce my own personal observation – but I often find their discourse vapid (glossing over the fact that misuse can FUCK PEOPLE UP) and delusional (LSD is not God). I did love finding out that Gail Bradbrook founded Extinction Rebellion a couple years after a two week psychedelic retreat in Costa Rica, where she prayed to be shown “the codes for social change,” during one of her trips.

Also, I never new baby carrots were fake??!!! They are just cut from large carrots then smoothed out? Life truly is a lie.

So let’s all be animists! (Yes mom, my polyamorous relationship with the trees will single-handedly make Jeff Bezos relinquish his fortunes and become a social worker.)

Tsui’s book isn’t really about eco-anxiety but about dismantling individualism, capitalism and our reductive approaches to mental health and climate change issues. The glossary was insane. Notable entries: Chthlucene, The 1%, Individualism, Oppression Olympics, Psychoterratic Emotions, and Western.

I will restrain myself from continuing this review. I will not be revising for grammar mistakes.

(Disclaimer: I do not endorse the trivialisation of mental health issues, systemic oppression or the apocalypse. These topics are important, but I don’t have Wi-Fi or another book on me right now so I am simmering in dualist frustration.)

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year, as I've been following the author's work on social media for a while now and as an (albeit dropped out) psychology student, the intersection of mental health and climate is particularly interesting to me (I also still do some psychology-related work in the climate movement, so this book needed to be read).
It definitely did not disappoint, and I think this book is perfect for you if you'd like an introduction to the way the climate crisis interacts with our (ill) mental health, regardless of whether you have a background within the climate movement, psychology, or neither. Honestly, if you've ever felt scared about the state of the world & the climate crisis, you should read this. I found it to be very accessibly written (and the audio book well read and really enjoyable to listen to). As someone already familiar with a lot of discourse within the climate justice movement, I have to say I did not learn all that many completely new things and I would have liked a little more, but it was nonetheless a pleasure to listen to the author's analysis and hear all the perspectives of interviewees they brought on for this book.
I think especially in climate psychology, works like It's Not Just You deserve to be and should be highlighted more, as the author makes a point of including the perspectives of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis (the exact people often left out of psychological research and not thought about when developing interventions).
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book, and I highly recommend you also give it a read/listen (especially psychologists/therapists who want to know more about how the climate justice movement relates to our field). I do want to re-read it preferably on paper/my e-reader if I get a copy, because I want to make some more notes of interesting passages that I couldn't while listening.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so excited to read this! Talking mental health and the climate crisis is so important (especially w/ the connections to racism/sexism/ableism/capitalism). Top of my to-read list :)

[SammiKoalaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, just brilliant 🤩

[Ruth Coene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Om Greta Thunberg haar reactie te quoten: "the world is in desperate need of this book"

[Nish · Rating 3 out of 5]

R E V I E W 🗒✒️

When I first started reading It's Not Just You, I thought I would struggle as I was unable to get past the Introduction. I realised I was not the only person who felt this way; with a topic like climate justice which requires it's own glossary to break down lingo commonly used in the eco-friendly sphere, the concern I have is that people who are curious and want to learn more will become disinterested from the first page.

I would urge those people to persevere when reading this book because it is a genuine gift. Skip the intro and just read page 12 if you must.

Tsui is persuasive in that the climate crisis is not an isolated issue and affects all beings in all spheres of their lives on a global level. It is crucial to mention that marginalised communities are neglected; despite having the least contribution they are the most vulnerable and disproportionately impacted by increasing climate change.

We live in a world where there is a resounding cry on a daily basis urging us to "make the world a better place". Tsui understands it can get overwhelming. Eco-anxiety is real. The book aims to educate but also act as a supportive guide to try and alleviate the tension; you are not alone and yet your perspective does not speak for everyone. Acting with empathy, questioning the structures in place which have got us to this stage and ultimately the power of community can help lessen the load.

Thank you @tandemcollective @simonschusteruk for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

#bookreview #coffeekitaab #ItsNotJustYouReadalong #tandemreadalong #climatejustice #London #noplanetb AD-PR Product

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could not have come at a better time! Like a lot of people, I'd been hearing the term eco-anxiety a lot recently and also feeling more and more fearful and helpless about the climate crisis. I was so impressed by how the author explored the idea of eco-anxiety in such depth and with so much nuance. I also loved the way the book included interviews with climate activists from all over the world, including indigenous communities, as it opened my eyes to so many perspectives I'd not considered enough before.

I felt like the writing was so thoughtful and conversational. I especially loved the way the author takes the reader on a journey, starting with 'you' and then expanding out. It felt like the perfect accessible book to give anyone who wanted to learn more about how the climate crisis intersects with other injustices. I learned so much and it really changed how i think about mental health and the climate crisis as well as the many ways in which they are interconnected. I really can't wait to share it to all my friends!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has genuinely changed the way I think. While I was familiar with most topics discussed in It‘s Not Just You, I still learned plenty from it. I especially loved learning about animism, why so many people feel disconnected from nature and psychiatry as a system of control. I‘ve always loved the forest but don’t spend as much time in nature as I‘d like. It‘s Not Just You made me go for a walk in the woods that felt transforming after what I had learned.

As someone who joined the climate movement relatively recently, I see this book as a valuable resource. I highly recommend reading it - especially if you‘re not involved in any organising (yet)!

[Roxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important book for the times we’re living through. Everyone with eco-anxiety (and everyone without!) should read this. It’s inspiring. It’s hopeful. I found it invaluable to know we’re not going through this alone.

[Lauren pavey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly I just could connect with the writing style but author raises interesting points

[Luke Spooner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. I need to reread (relisten) cause I think I missed some important stuff.

I particularly liked the section on purity politics, perfectionism, and shame.

[Isabella Kajiwara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me the reassurance I needed that I'm not alone in my fear, anxiety or anger at the way things are. Similarly, it also reminded me not to pathologize those feelings - that they are markers of consciousness, aliveness and awareness of just how high stakes our current situation is.

Even though I was already familiar with a few of the concepts that Tsui made reference to (e.g. Intersectionality), as someone relatively new to the party of climate justice activism I found it helpful to hear them explained through a Climate Justice lens.

For fellow border abolitionist / prison abolitionist organisers and activists - there are helpful sections throughout the book which articulate the inextricable link between migration, carcerality, and climate justice. I'd been looking for resource materials that help connect these struggles for a Abolitionist Reading Group I'm part of - and this book is great for that.

The variety of organisers and activists interviewed reflected the spirit of the book's message and the author writing it - a clear example of intersectionality in practice, and a subversive struggle against the individualist singular hero narrative that is often preferred in media storytelling around climate justice organising or any activism for that matter.

I'm hoping the IB & other high school degree programmes offering Environmental Science / Environmental Systems and Societies courses take note of what this book has to offer. I wish I had been able to read something like this during my own studies as a teen.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a book! It certainly opens your eyes and makes you rethink what thought you already knew about climate change. There were so many things that I wasn't even taking into account when thinking of climate change and didn't even connect them tbh.

The UK contributes around 2% to greenhouse gases, so we would be better served with innovation and driving the science to combat climate change globally.

Before reading It's Not Just You I had no idea that 'eco anxiety' was even a thing, but after reading the book I can now see that all of us are struggling in ways with the effects the climate changes are having on us; whether it be for shortages or overnight price rises, the destruction of nature, or the rising greed of corporations.

[Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not just recommended reading, it's essential. As someone interested in better understanding how the forces that caused the climate crisis are contributing to the mental health crisis, I found this book utterly engaging and informative. More so, I found it compassionate. The author clearly cares about those in their community, but also about those who -- like me -- are seeking greater knowledge about how systems of power are bringing us down, and what we can do about it both personally and globally. It's Not Just You is incredibly well researched and brilliantly written. Importantly, it focuses on non-Eurocentric perspectives and reminds us that the stakes are much higher for some than for others, and if we're to overcome the crises we find ourselves in, we must start by recognizing these dynamics. While It's Not Just You is a guide of sorts, it's not just a linear roadmap. It's a fractal of ideas, connections and solutions. It's also a place where terms like "promiscuous care," "cthulhupocene," "oddkin," and "mychorrhizal network" feel right at home.

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a thoughtful, emotive, and empowering read. I felt that the language suited those who are already actively engaging in the climate movement and could be unapproachable for those engaging with it for the first time. However, the content is extremely valuable and inspiring.

The following are some of my favourite quotes:

"Activism may also be built on love and hope that another world is possible"

"Nature has always been a salve amid the chaos of a troubled world"

"Turning away from a crisis won't solve it, neither will engaging in a system that's caused it, so we need to turn inwards, towards our communities, and harness collective power as a means of addressing it"

"Care for one another, even those who are strangers to us, is part of a climate just world where we see our humanities as intertwined"

"There can be no love where there is domination, and anytime we do the work of love we are doing the work of ending domination"

"Is it really so radical to imagine a life where we avoid catastrophic climate breakdown?"

[Clarisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book it gave me the reassurance that I am not alone in my anxiety and fear for the future generations to come.

Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. I always wanted to believe that the climate crisis is a race we can all win. We just all have to do our best for tumour environment so the next and future generation will have a habitable planet.


I think everyone should read this book. It’s informative and have a better understanding of climate crisis. This is such an interesting book that delves into eco anxiety and we are actually living through of it now. The author clearly cares deeply and I can feel the passion through her words.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5
You’re not the only one struggling with eco-anxiety and the cause for such anxiety is not that there’s something wrong with you. This kind of summarizes the main message of the book where Tori Tsui examines mental health problems in times of climate crisis and so much more besides. The way she blends her own experiences, studies and interviews of other activists is seamless, and something that impressed me. Though I would have loved a little more of her own story. I also found the structure of the book hard to follow, which makes recounting the central points difficult. It’s Not Just You is beyond doubt important, but not the most memorable and thus effective book, in my opinion.

“The links between planetary and mental health have been reaffirmed far and wide, with some researchers reiterating that a ‘stable climate is the most fundamental determinant of human health”

[Jo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking book. Tori has eloquently defined the many perspectives that can be appreciated when considering the subject of climate change. She has discussed the current state of affairs with respect to the planet, our individual reactions to it, the attitudes and actions of those in power and how these in turn can affect us, clearly demonstrating the complexity of our current situation. Current terminologies are explored and debated. The book has been thoroughly researched and Tori quotes a variety of academics and well respected voices in the world of climate change activism, from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
She suggests possible ways forward to manage the challenges to our mental health resulting from the current state of affairs, particularly in considering collaborative strategies and community activity.

[Mikaela Loach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a galvanizing breath of fresh air. Tori manages to seamlessly weave in so many people's voices from the broad and global climate movement in a way which leaves you so impacted. Reading it, you can really tell the mammoth amount of research that went into forming this important exploration of what eco-anxiety is, the impact its having on our lives and the important of reframing how we think about mental health. Anyone who is interested in either mental health or climate (or better, both!) should 100% read this book.

Tori approaches all the work she does with a level of grace and care that is not common. I'm so ridiculously glad that this book exists and can't wait to see what it does in the world. Thank you for writing this, Tori x

[Jon S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too overly cynical and downtrodden - on an already downer topic - without providing any real new information, a fresh perspective, or any positive tones for balance.

Felt the book just repeated what many others have said and was just beating the proverbial bushes that 'the white man is bad,' and 'the patriarchy is to blame' (for the first half), and then the second half 'that capitalism is bad.'

Being just a standard, regular white guy the first half was a bit uncomfortable, and felt more a rant than a constructed criticism/analysis, but the latter half voicing against capitalism was good albeit regurgitated stuff many should already know/would have heard on the topic.

Heard via audiobook and the author/reader was great to listen to, clean production, and clear reading.

[Gaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant, seriously. This delves into eco-anxiety and its connections with the systems around us in accessible language which is so needed. This has the power to really engage people to think about eco-anxiety in a way that’s not just “take a bath” self help guides. As someone who has studied under some of the best academics in the world, I really appreciated a book on a comped topic that was laid out simply and straight to the point. As a an activist there were many affirming points in the book. Would highly recommended !

[Bloss ♡]

Geez, who is the target audience with this? I worked in a climate think tank and I’m struggling with the inaccessible, academic, and disengaging writing style too much to keep going with this at the moment. 🥴

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need more books like this on our shelves!

[Mauricio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, relatable and insightful! Loved it! A great reminder that we are in this together! 💙

[Richard Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely and brilliant a must read for all.
Dax

[Sylvain Ferriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and important book !
This is a topic that deserves our full attention

[Anjeza · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[RecycledWords · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with sections of this book, some bits were very statistic heavy and whilst having points backed up by facts is helpful I felt the balance was too far towards the negative. I would have liked some more examples of how to manage climate anxiety and/or get involved in activism on an achievable level.

[Renata Barros · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topic is of extreme importance but the book reads like an academic thesis so it’s unnecessarily repetitive and difficult to digest.

[Caroline Stæhr]

I am sorry to say that I really didn’t learn anything new whatsoever 🤷🏼‍♀️