Climate & Community Mental Health Symposium

In 2019, the Minnesota Department of Health, The College of St. Scholastica, and Macalester College surveyed mental health professionals to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors related to climate change impacts on mental health. The survey was completed by more than 500 licensed mental health professionals currently practicing in Minnesota. Results from the survey indicate that a large majority of mental health professionals are seeing impacts on the mental health and well-being of their clients that are directly or indirectly related to climate change. Further, a majority of mental health professionals indicate that, while they would like professional support to address these impacts, there is a significant lack of such support available.

This symposium will address this gap by bringing mental health professionals, researchers, climate scientists, Extension professionals, students, and other practitioners together to hear about the survey and results, learn from a panel of mental health professionals on existing resources for addressing climate-related impacts on mental health, and share ideas for expanding and advancing these resources through facilitated small group discussions.

Please note: The morning session will be hybrid, open to both in person and online attendees. Due to COVID health protocols, full day in person attendance will be limited to the first 75 Mental Health Professionals to register for the symposium. 

If you are not a mental health professional or are unable to travel and would like to join the morning informational sessions, please register for the online webinar by completing this registration process and register for the Zoom webinar located on your ticket or confirmation email. 

The afternoon in person portion of the symposium will use the World Cafe method to facilitate small group discussions amongst attendees to share resources and discuss next steps in addressing climate-related practice needs. Colleagues from the MN Climate Adaptation Partnership, College of St. Scholastica, Macalester College, and the National Alliance of Mental Illness, as well as students from the College of St. Scholastica are coming together to bring this event to life.