A Pioneer’s Exploration
Nearly two decades ago, a determined psychiatrist began to explore the profound connection between climate change and mental health. Initially, this concept was met with skepticism within the therapy community, but her perseverance led to the first major gatherings on this topic in 2009.
Organized with the help of a prominent education vice president, these meetings brought together key figures from major health organizations. Despite the absence of the American Psychiatric Association, the event marked a significant milestone in addressing climate anxiety.
Her journey started after an impactful training session with a former Vice President’s climate project, where she noticed a glaring gap in research concerning the mental health impacts of climate change. This realization fueled her mission to bridge this critical divide.
Determined and resourceful, she went on to establish two major professional groups for climate-aware therapists, ensuring that mental health services adapted to the growing climate crisis. Her efforts also extended to raising funds for an extensive public repository, modeled after Wikipedia, dedicated to climate and mental health information.
Shaping the Future
Her work has not only impacted professionals but also validated the experiences of countless young people. She coined the term “institutional betrayal” to describe the emotional response when trusted organizations fail to protect against climate harms.
Her contributions include:
- Founding major climate and mental health alliances
- Serving as an expert witness in high-profile legal cases
- Co-authoring a global youth climate distress survey
Through her persistent efforts, she has provided a voice for the youth affected by climate change, translating their experiences into scientific literature and legal testimonies.
Her unique background in profiling world leaders for intelligence agencies provided her with insights into delusional thinking, which she applied to tackling irrational policies hindering climate action.
Unwavering Advocacy
Despite her unconventional approach, she has always been a vocal advocate for climate action. In 2012, she co-authored a pivotal report on the psychological effects of global warming, which caught the attention of climate leaders.
Her activism saw her participating in events like the Chesapeake Climate Action Network Polar Bear Plunge and speaking engagements worldwide, including at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
Balancing her psychiatry practice with climate activism, she co-founded Interfaith Moral Action on Climate, organizing significant rallies and even supporting protestors at Standing Rock.
Her dedication has inspired many in the mental health community to join the fight against climate change, and she continues to lead by example, prioritizing climate work over personal leisure.
An Expert Witness
Her expertise as a psychiatrist made her a formidable expert witness in climate-related legal battles. She has profiled plaintiffs and documented the mental health impacts of climate change in several landmark cases.
Her contributions to a global youth climate distress survey, published in a renowned medical journal, provided critical data that influenced health policy and public opinion.
She remains confident and composed in courtrooms, leveraging her background and experience to advocate for climate justice effectively.
Despite her busy schedule, she continues to spearhead initiatives like the Ecopsychepedia, ensuring that climate mental health resources remain accessible to all, free from paywalls.
oreo
Great article but it needs more data and less storytelling. Where are the stats?
alice
Is there a way to access the public repository she created? Sounds like a valuable resource.
christopher
Did she face any pushback from the mental health community at the start?
Chloe
This is such a crucial issue! Kudos to her for pioneering this field. 👏
elijahempyrean
Why wasn’t the American Psychiatric Association involved? Seems like a big miss on their part.
Cooper
Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea there was such a strong link between climate change and mental health.
jason
Interesting read, but does this mean climate change affects everyone’s mental health or just specific groups?
sadiegenesis
Wow, this is incredible! How can we support her mission further? 🌟