The Sandor Lecture focused on the mental health effects of climate change, presented by Dr. Susanne Moser from Antioch University. Key discussions included the interplay between climate change and mental health, highlighting PTSD, anxiety, and the need for community response initiatives. Dr. Moser urged for comprehensive training for healthcare professionals to address emerging mental health crises stemming from environmental challenges.
The third annual Richard and Ellen Sandor Lecture Series on Medicine and Sustainability centered on the mental health consequences of climate change and the necessity for community collaboration to address these issues. Dr. Susanne “Susi” Moser, a research scholar with Antioch University New England, presented her lecture titled “When Nothing’s Wrong with Us, but Everything is Changing Around Us” on March 4 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
Dr. Moser illustrated her points through a compelling narrative about a man rescuing individuals from a turbulent river, emphasizing the multifaceted work required in combating climate change. She stated, “There’s work to do to pull people out of the river… and then there’s the work of trying to prevent people from falling in, in the first place.” Her discussion highlighted the intertwining effects of climate change on both mental and physical health, notably how rising temperatures and weather extremes exacerbate stressors on communities.
Dr. Moser emphasized that the consequences of climate change manifest not only through physical disasters like hurricanes but also inflict mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, particularly among those displaced. “It is the PTSD from these events that stays with people unless it is treated,” she noted. Furthermore, secondary effects including substance abuse and domestic violence were discussed, with poverty aggravating these vulnerabilities.
Highlighting statistical data, Dr. Moser pointed out that a significant percentage of individuals affected by natural disasters are likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes. She remarked, “A quarter to a half of people who experience a tornado, a hurricane, or a storm of any kind are more at risk of adverse mental health impacts…” This has given rise to what is termed climate-driven anxiety, especially prevalent among youth and those with existing mental health conditions.
Moser drew attention to the struggle of indigenous communities, who often experience a disconnection from their lands, leading to heightened feelings of isolation and decline in mental well-being. “They lose their sense of self,” she stated, contributing to a cycle of depression and social withdrawal. She further discussed the global ramifications of climate change, emphasizing a sense of abandonment felt by affected individuals towards their governments.
The speaker pointed out the lack of focused research on the effects of climate change within Arkansas but identified the presence of fundamental challenges such as drought and agriculture struggles. Dr. Moser’s remarks indicated that the mental health ramifications are expected to escalate, particularly for populations least equipped to cope.
In front of medical professionals, Dr. Moser underlined the growing trust in healthcare providers regarding climate change discussions while emphasizing the need for proper training. She stated, “The impacts of climate change on patients still isn’t part of most health care professionals’ training.” This lack of preparation necessitates a deeper understanding among healthcare professionals regarding patients’ mental health responses.
Dr. Moser, as the director of her consulting entity, highlighted her initiative, The Adaptive Mind Project, aimed at equipping medical professionals with the necessary skills to assist those affected by climate change. She described various educational efforts designed to help construct a stronger communal bond as a means to counter mental health declines. The dean of UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, Mark Williams, echoed the crucial need for adequate training and community preparedness to handle the increasing environmental health challenges and their psychological consequences. He stated, “Climate change is reality…We are not presently adequately training health professionals to deal with climate change issues,” underscoring the urgency for societal adaptation and resilience.
The Sandor Lecture highlighted the severe mental health implications of climate change, as discussed by Dr. Susanne Moser. She emphasized the necessity of community cooperation and extensive training for healthcare professionals to address the mental health challenges arising from climate disasters. Moser pointed out that marginalized populations bear the brunt of the crisis, especially in the face of inadequate governmental response, and called for proactive measures in developing both mental health support networks and community resilience strategies to mitigate future impacts.
Original Source: news.uams.edu
