Existentialism and Climate Change - The Next Frontier in Mental Health-View Recording

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Dr. Andre Marseille, a psychology and counseling expert, addressed the interconnectedness of climate change, mental health, and existentialist perspectives in a recent talk. He identified climate change as an existential threat that disrupts human identity and meaning, emphasizing that mental health issues often stem from a lack of meaning. Dr. Marseille highlighted the need to transition from a Western "conquer nature" mentality to an Eastern "harmonize with nature" approach, arguing that current technological fixes are insufficient for long-term sustainability.<br /><br />He discussed the existential guilt associated with environmental impact and urged for increased awareness, suggesting that embracing responsibility can lead to positive changes. The presentation highlighted how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, such as children and those with low socioeconomic status, and detailed the adverse effects on physical and mental health, including anxiety, depression, and complex trauma.<br /><br />Dr. Marseille urged mental health professionals to move beyond traditional talk therapy, which depends on consistent societal structures, and adapt to the destabilization that climate change brings. He advocated for climate change to become the sixth force in psychology, following previous paradigm shifts in the field, to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness in addressing emerging global challenges.<br /><br />Attendees were encouraged to engage in actionable solutions, including policy advocacy and individual lifestyle changes, to mitigate climate-related impacts. The session underscored the collective role of psychologists in enhancing global awareness and promoting sustainable initiatives within communities.

Keywords

climate change

mental health

existential threat

human identity

meaning

Western mentality

Eastern approach

environmental impact

vulnerable populations

anxiety

depression

complex trauma

psychology paradigm

sustainable initiatives

policy advocacy