Events

Facing Climate Change and Cultivating Hope 

A Three-Part Workshop for Graduate and Undergraduate Students

Part One: Facing Our Grief

Part Two: Coping with Anxiety

Part Three: Finding Hope

This workshop is for students recognizing the effects of the deepening climate change crisis on our mental health. We will meet in person and create a safe environment where students can share their feelings, connect with others, and contemplate their place in the climate work. We will talk about climate related grief, worry, anger and fear and will discuss ways to cope. There will be a combination of psychoeducation and sharing. We will also use materials from the books Under the Sky We Create by Kimberly Nicholas, PhD and Active Hope, by Joanna Macy, PhD and Chris Johnstone. Free book copies will be provided to all participants.     

Talking about your climate related distress and listening to others can be upsetting and can trigger memories of previous traumas and losses. The hope is that such conversations will also be healing and affirming.

When: 1/10, 1/24, 1/29 at 1-2:30pm

Where: TBD

To sign up please email: mminkova@med.mit.edu

The group is limited to 15 participants. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcomed. It is expected that students will be present for all three workshops. Sessions are 1.5 hours long. We will provide and share food at the end of the third workshop to mark the end of our journey.

Sign-up deadline: January 8th, 2024

About the workshop facilitator: Maria Minkova, PsyD is a clinical psychologist who has been providing psychotherapy for over 20 years. Supporting people struggling with climate related psychological distress is a high priority in her work. She is a member and contributor to Climate Psychology Alliance.