Human wellbeing is often framed as separate from the natural world and other species. Yet, humans are inextricably linked to their environment and to countless other animals. Human health is threatened by pervasive global challenges, including: zoonotic viruses, extreme heat and wildfires, flooding, displacement, and substantial losses to biodiversity. Further still, there is a growing recognition of environmental impacts on mental health, including climate anxiety and ecological grief. Who experiences these impacts and why? How can these mental health impacts be mitigated?
Through interactive workshops I review evidence-based material about the mental health impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, exploring possible responses to climate anxiety and ecological grief. Further, I challenge anthropocentric views of health and reflect on the potential role of increasing distress in relation to pressing environmental challenges.
Recommended Resources
GoodGrief Network
Climate Mental Health Network
Mental Health and Our Changing Climate - Amercian Psychological Association & EcoAmerica, 2021
Clayton, S., Manning, C. M., Speiser, M., & Hill, A. N. (2021). Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Inequities, Responses. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, and ecoAmerica.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/mental-health-climate-change.pdf
Changing Climate... Mental Health and Well-Being - Government of Canada, 2022
Hayes, K., Cunsolo, A., Augustinavicius, J., Stranberg, R., Clayton, S., Malik, M., Donaldson, S., Richards, G., Bedard, A., Archer, L., Munro, T., & Hilario, C. (2022). Mental Health and Well-Being. In P. Berry & R. Schnitter (Eds.), Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada.
https://changingclimate.ca/health-in-a-changing-climate/
Climate Change and Youth Mental Health - SeeChange Institute, December 2021
Dooley, L., Sheats, J., Hamilton, O., Chapman, D. & Karlin, B. (2021). Climate Change and Youth Mental Health: Psychological Impacts, Resilience Resources, and Future Directions. Los Angeles, CA: See Change Institute
https://seechangeinstitute.com/sci_project/climatechangeandyouthmentalhealth/
Climate Anxiety in Children and Youth - Hickman et al., 2021
Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., … & van Susteren, L. (2021). Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12), e863-e873.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34895496/
Addressing the Climate Crisis: An Action Plan for Psychologists - American Psychological Association, February 2022
American Psychological Association, APA Task Force on Climate Change. (2022) Addressing the Climate Crisis: An Action Plan for Psychologists, Report of the APA Task Force on Climate Change.
https://www.apa.org/science/about/publications/climate-crisis-action-plan.pdf
Ecotherapy and Climate Conscious Therapy Training and Consultation for Mental Health Professionals
