eMHPrac Webinar 59: Climate Change and Mental Health

Black Dog Institute Podcasts for Health Professionals

Climate change is a major global existential challenge that provokes intense feelings in many people. In most cases, concerns about climate change are a rational response to the problem and may lead to positive adaptation, but some people experience significant mental distress. This webinar explores the range of emotional responses to awareness of climate change and how they may impact mental health. Key aspects of assessment and response to climate distress are discussed, with reference to emerging evidence and existing psychotherapeutic models.

Panel:

Dr Anna Seth, GP, Co-chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia Mental Health Specific Interest Group, Climate Aware Practitioner, and facilitator with Psychology for a Safe Climate

Brenda Dobia, Psychologist, Adjunct Fellow in the School of Education at Western Sydney University, a clinical practitioner at Headspace and a member of Psychology for a Safe Climate and the Climate Psychology Alliance

Dr Chloe Watfern, Postdoctoral fellow at the Black Dog Institute’s Arts Based Knowledge Translation Lab and research associate of the Knowledge Translation Strategic Platform of Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE (Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise)

Moderated by: Dr Phoebe Holdenson-Kimura, GP