Hande Ozcelik: The Trailblazer Merging Mental Health and Climate Action for a Better Tomorrow
- Vikrant Joshi
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
In a world that often demands we choose between heart and science, emotion and logic, or people and planet, Hande Ozcelik is a revolutionary force proving we don’t have to choose we can, and must, embrace it all.
A physicist by training, a humanitarian by soul, and a sustainability advocate by action, Hande is a shining example of what it means to be a 21st-century changemaker. From the earthquake-prone towns of Turkey to the ecologically fragile coastline of Galicia, Spain, her journey is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering purpose. At the core of everything she does?
A powerful belief: You can’t save the planet without healing the people living on it.
A Journey Rooted in Compassion, Powered by Science
Hande’s story begins in Turkey, a nation no stranger to the trauma of natural disasters. As a young girl, she watched entire communities shattered by earthquakes - not just physically, but emotionally. “That’s when I saw how the environment isn’t just around us, it lives within us. What happens to the earth happens to our minds and hearts too,” she recalls.
Years later, her path led her to Galicia, Spain, a land of lush coastlines now under threat from climate change. Rising sea levels, collapsing fisheries, and disappearing shorelines aren’t abstract concepts here, they are daily realities. And with them comes a quieter crisis: eco-anxiety, stress, and uncertainty etched into the fabric of life.
While most would see these as separate issues, Hande saw the missing link that few others had dared to explore:
The climate crisis is a mental health crisis.
And just like that, a new kind of advocacy was born—one that integrates sustainability, psychology, and youth empowerment into a single, unstoppable movement.
From Astrophysics to Earth Advocacy: Seeing the Planet From the Stars
Hande isn’t your typical sustainability advocate. With a background in astrophysics, she’s spent years pondering the vastness of the universe. And yet, this galactic gaze only brought her closer to home.
“In all that cosmic beauty, there’s one truth that kept coming back to me: Earth is irreplaceable. And we’re treating it like it’s disposable.”
Her scientific lens fuels her advocacy with depth, clarity, and urgency. Unlike others who compartmentalize knowledge, Hande unites it, bringing together data, empathy, and lived experience to advocate for something truly revolutionary: a planet-first, people-centered approach to climate action.
Asociación Evexia: A Sanctuary for Youth, Resilience, and Regeneration
In her quest to bring this vision to life, Hande founded Asociación Evexia, a Spain-based NGO devoted to nurturing mental health, emotional resilience, and social cohesion, especially among youth. But this isn’t just another organization. Evexia is a movement.
Through Erasmus+ youth exchanges and cross-cultural initiatives, Hande and her team create safe spaces where young people can explore their emotions, discover leadership, and reconnect with the planet. These programs embed sustainability not as a side topic, but as a core pillar of wellness.
“We may not have a dedicated climate program yet, but every single activity is infused with eco-consciousness. Because we can’t talk about health if we ignore the health of our environment.”
Voices of Resistance: A Project That Speaks Volumes
One of Hande’s most impactful initiatives is the upcoming Erasmus+ youth exchange titled “Voices of Resistance: Youth Against Extremism”. But this isn’t your average camp. This is a week-long transformation.
From May 30 to June 6 2025, a group of young visionaries from Spain will journey to Vila Nova de Tazem, Portugal for an immersive experience that blends:
Camping and nature immersion
Hands-on eco activities like planting and sustainability workshops
Critical dialogues on extremism, leadership, and resilience
Cross-cultural connections with youth from across Europe
“We’re showing them that they are not just tomorrow’s leaders—they are today’s
changemakers.”
By fusing environmental action with youth empowerment and peacebuilding, Hande is building the next generation of resilient eco-leaders who are prepared to resist not just extremism, but apathy, inaction, and disconnection.
📎 Explore the full project info here: Voices of Resistance - Infopack
Healing the Earth Starts with Healing Ourselves
At the heart of everything Hande stands for is a message the world urgently needs to hear:
“Climate action is self-care. And self-care is climate action.”
In an age of mounting anxiety, burnout, and ecological despair, her approach is a lifeline. She’s showing the world that mental health and environmental health are not parallel journeys, they’re intertwined paths leading to the same destination: sustainability.
Even her shorter projects leave lasting impacts. Through quick but powerful youth exchanges, young people walk away with more than knowledge, they leave with hope, purpose, and power.
“Our programs may be brief, but the transformation they spark is lifelong,” she says with conviction.
A Future Worth Fighting For
Looking ahead, Hande dreams of building deeper, longer, and wider-reaching initiatives. She envisions climate education that prioritizes emotional resilience, green mental health retreats that help people reconnect with the Earth, and collaborative networks where changemakers like her can unite. And she’s not just dreaming, she’s designing it.
“I want to create spaces where healing and climate action are one and the same. Where young people feel strong enough to take action, and supported enough to rest.”
It’s a vision of regeneration in body, mind, and planet. And it’s already taking shape through every project she leads.
Why the World Needs More Hande Ozceliks
At Planet First Press, we don’t just tell stories, we champion heroes. And Hande Ozcelik is a hero in every sense of the word. Her journey is a masterclass in empathy, a manifesto for integrated action, and a beacon for what’s possible when science meets soul.
She is:
A physicist who sees beyond data to the heart of the matter. A sustainability leader weaving nature into the mental health narrative. A youth mentor empowering tomorrow’s peacebuilders. A changemaker redefining what it means to care, for each other and for the Earth
Join the Movement. Amplify the Mission.
If you believe in a world where mental health and climate action go hand in hand…If you believe in empowering youth to lead with empathy and action…If you believe that change starts now...
Then support, share, and connect with the work of Hande Ozcelik and Asociación Evexia. Because movements like hers deserve global amplification and together, we can give them the stage they need.
Stay updated on all upcoming Erasmus+ programs and partnership opportunities.
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