Coping with eco-anxiety: A guided journal trial

Presented by: Dr Ans Vercammen and Dr Skye Doherty

Date: Friday 22 September 2023
Time: 12-1pm
Location: Online via Zoom and in-person at the SCA Writer's Studio (Level 6, Michie Building)


Abstract

Eco-anxiety describes the existential dread associated with the observation or direct experience of irrevocable environmental damage due to climate change. A recent survey of >10,000 young people found that 45% said it affected their daily functioning, and 75% noted that the future is frightening. Eco-anxiety can affect overall mental health and wellbeing if the individual does not have sufficient support or coping skills to make sense of this experience. In this talk, we will describe how a guided journaling intervention might help young people process their climate-related feelings and potentially turn anxiety into action. We used an existing journal co-designed by young people in the UK as a basis to explore local experiences and novel design ideas for addressing eco-anxiety among Australian youth. We will discuss the preliminary findings and highlight emerging recommendations for a support tool that meets the needs of the local communities.


Presenters

Ans Vercammen is a research psychologist and conservation social scientist. Her work is interdisciplinary and focuses on the human dimensions of environmental change. Most recently she has been studying psychological responses to climate change, and the nexus between climate change and mental health.

Skye Doherty is a design researcher in the School of Communication and Arts. She uses creative methods to explore alternative futures and address wicked problems. She has worked on projects in journalism, law, education, and energy, among others and her work has led to both conceptual and practical outcomes.


 

About Research Seminar and Workshop Series

 


School of Communication and Arts Research Seminar Series

The research seminar and workshop series occur each semester, each with a different topic and guest speaker from UQ or otherwise.

Friday, 16 August
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at the
SCA Writer's Studio
(Level 6, Michie)

Archives: A Knowledge Café on Ways of Knowing, Seeing, Being, and Accessing

A conversation hosted by Kate Newey, Bernadette Cochrane, Madelyn Coupe, and Hannah Mason

Friday, 23 August
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at 09-738

Dispatches from Trump-World: Preppers, Climate Disasters and a Front Row Seat the 2024 Republican National Convention

Dr Tom Doig

Friday, 30August
12-1pm

Indigenising the Curriculum Pedagogy JamDr Amelia Barikin and Prof. Anna Johnston

Friday, 13 September
12-1pm

Assessment Security Pedagogy JamDr Amelia Barikin and Dr Maureen Engel

Friday, 20 September
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at the
SCA Writer's Studio
(Level 6, Michie)

Upside Down: Adaptation and Digital Affordances in Stranger Things

Dr Bernadette Cochrane

Friday, 11 October
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at the
SCA Writer's Studio
(Level 6, Michie)

Linking research, teaching and engagement – the PEATLI project

A.Prof Elske van de Fliert

 

Venue

Online via Zoom and in-person at the SCA Writer's Studio (Level 6, Michie Building)