Project Summary
In 2019, the Minnesota Department of Health, College of St. Scholastica, and Macalester College launched a survey of mental health professionals (MHPs) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors related to climate change impacts on mental health (Hoppe et al., 2022). Results from the survey indicated that a large majority of MHPs are seeing impacts on the mental health and well-being of their clients that are directly or indirectly related to climate change. Yet, respondents identify multiple barriers and challenges they face in addressing these impacts with clients. By far the most frequently identified barrier was a lack of professional resources and training for MHPs on climate change and mental health. MHPs also expressed a desire to connect with colleagues, both within the mental health profession and across other disciplines, to explore and implement innovative community-based strategies to reduce mental health impacts and foster a sense of “active hope” among clients (Hayes et al., 2018).
Collaborating with survey authors and experts in the fields of public health and mental well-being from the College of Saint Scholastica, Macalester College, and the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), we developed a day-long symposium centered on MHPs to address the needs and issues identified in the MHP survey.
Results from participant surveys, as well as the large attendance, demonstrated the success of the Symposium in achieving its core aims and connecting MHPs with resources and community partners to continue advancing solutions to reduce negative mental health impacts from climate change.