Climate Change and Health: Research, Issues and Implications for Psychology

Friday, November 1, 2019

Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department.

About the Program

This presentation will review research about psychological and medical concerns regarding climate change, and how this information can inform psychological services for people with presenting concerns related to climate change. Until recently, many people have thought of climate change as an abstract concept, with uncertain costs and potential events that seem remote from their daily life, both in time and distance. Recent weather catastrophes and research findings are making climate change more immediate and salient for many people, resulting in new terms such as “climate anxiety” and “future despair.” Psychologists will be increasingly called upon to help people affected by, or fearing the potential affects, of climate change. This presentation will provide information and resources that can inform psychologists serving people affected by climate change.

This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

This session qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 3-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify how the medical and psychological effects of climate change affect people’s sense of place, emotional and behavioral responses, and coping resources.
2. Describe the psychological impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, such as those with mental illness, medical fragility, poverty, racism and marginalization, and more.
3. Apply the guidelines for responding to climate change issues in therapy.

About the Presenters:

Christie Manning, Ph.D., has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Factors Engineering from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Biological Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She teaches in the department of Environmental Studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Christie’s recent co-authored publications include a 2018 edited volume, Psychology and Climate Change, a 2017 review article in the journal Science, “Beyond the roots of human inaction: Fostering collective effort toward ecosystem conservation,” and a 2016 academic textbook, Psychology for Sustainability. Her research and teaching explore the cognitive, social and situational factors that influence people’s behavioral and lifestyle choices and how these choices positively or negatively impact ecological and social systems.

Michael Menzel, M.D., graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School and retired as an anesthesiologist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital where he created Acute Pain Service. Dr. Menzel is the Co-Founder of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, HPforHC.org and founder of Guatemala Surgery, a non-profit providing surgery to indigenous people of Guatemala.

Richard Sethre, Psy.D., LP, has a Doctor of Psychology degree from the University of San Diego, California, with specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Sethre has an independent practice with a focus on health care psychology and consulting services. He has an active social media presence. He posts regularly on his website blog about interesting, creative and controversial topics related to the practice of psychology.

The speakers have indicated they do not have any conflicts of interest.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations, including parking, to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]. 

To Register:

Online registration is now closed. Walk-ups are welcome onsite.

Click here to download a PDF registration form and flyer.

Walk-up registrations are welcome the day of, but pre-registration is preferred.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling free, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. Transfer of fee to another program is granted if written cancellation notice is received at least one day before the program. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.