Almost daily, we hear of the devastating impact of climate change and animal agriculture on the planet: increased wildfires, heatwaves, floods, extreme storms, climbing sea levels, the erosion of natural environments, and the extinction of species on a massive scale. We also know that climate change influences migration patterns, communities’ infrastructure and creates less secure food systems. A recent report by the American Psychological Association details the mental health effects of climate change and the stress that surrounds it on an individual and community level.
As with other disasters, there are some people and communities who will be hit harder than others. Geography, of course, is in the mix, as are demographic and socioeconomic inequities. On an individual level, those with pre-existing health challenges, for example, will feel these effects more intensely. The APA report (p.6) notes also that “stress from climate impacts can cause children to experience changes in behavior, development, memory, executive function, decision-making, and scholastic achievement.“
Given both the dire environmental situation and the public’s heightened awareness of it, eco-anxiety has become increasingly common, with individuals expressing distress over climate change and the environment, exhibiting conditions such as depression, panic attacks, insomnia, guilt, grief and helplessness, among other mental health challenges.
This spring I will be offering an opportunity to explore these concerns in a safe group space. Eco-therapy and eco-art therapy are multi-layered; in group, we’ll be addressing such topics as becoming empowered for change on an individual and community level, how to notice our emotions and knowing when they are useful vs. when they are unproductive and paralyzing, and learning coping skills to manage those emotions. You will gain support from like-minded others and develop a plan to have an impact on an individual, family and community level to alleviate the helplessness we can feel. We will have the opportunity to create art from natural materials, to become reacquainted with the beauty and splendor of our natural environment and heal through connecting with the earth’s gifts.
Please contact me if you’d like to discuss any of these issues one-on-one or would be interested in this upcoming group. The group will include verbal dialogue and art-making and will take place in a natural environment in which participants will be able to interact with animals as well, if they wish.
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-me-in-we/201801/coming-terms-ecoanxiety
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2017/03/mental-health-climate.pdf