We are delighted to invite you to an online panel discussion to explore the impact of climate change on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Organised by the Institute of Global Health Innovation and the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, the event will mark the launch of the Institutes’ briefing paper titled ‘The impact of climate change on mental health and emotional wellbeing: current evidence and implications for policy and practice’. The paper proposes a detailed set of recommendations to stimulate greater knowledge, awareness and action for all sectors including policy makers, research institutions and mental health practitioners.
Context
Climate change and mental health are two of the most significant and pressing challenges facing societies across the world. While the climate crisis is increasingly recognised as a health emergency, the interplay between climate change, and mental health and emotional wellbeing, has been relatively neglected. Current evidence suggests that climate change has a significant and multi-faceted impact on mental health, with significant costs that are currently unaccounted for in policy and practice.
Decision makers stand to benefit from identifying potential common solutions, stemming from some of the common causes, to these two global challenges. It is vital that policymakers, health systems and communities recognise and respond to the threat that climate change poses to our mental health and health systems, and proactively support resilience at all levels.
Event details
To coincide with our report, we’re bringing together leading experts across healthcare, policy, research and the NGO sector for an online panel discussion to raise awareness and drive action. We will provide a platform for those across sectors and those already experiencing the mental health impacts of the climate crisis to describe their experiences, discuss current evidence and the required responses.
This event will be chaired by Dr David Nabarro, co-director of Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, World Health Organization Special Envoy on COVID-19 and Strategic Director of 4SD. Attendees will have an opportunity to put their questions to speakers including:
- Dr Emma Lawrance, Mental Health Innovations Fellow, Institute of Global Health Innovation, United Kingdom
- Dr Katie Hayes, Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Health Canada
- Sena Salcedo, Mental Health First Responder, St. Arnold Center for Integral Development, Philippines
- Clover Hogan, Founder and Executive Director, Force of Nature, International
- Jennifer Uchendu, Founder, SustyVibes, Nigeria
- Dr Gary Belkin, Founder, Billion Minds Institute, and visiting scientist, Harvard School of Public Health
More speakers to be confirmed.
This event is primarily aimed at an international audience. On 27 May we will be running a similar event with a UK focus. Find out more and how to register here.
About the organisers
Climate Cares is a collaboration between the Institute of Global Health Innovation and the Grantham Institute – two of Imperial College London’s seven Global Institutes established to promote inter-disciplinary working and to meet some of the greatest challenges faced by society.