Projects
The Mental Health and Climate Change Research Network was established in response to the growing needs of government and industry for an evidence base that supports the implementation of interventions, tools and policies to address the impacts of climate change on mental health. Network projects consider one or more of the following research objectives:
- To understand the experience, distribution and determinants of mental health in an age of climate volatility.
- To conceptualise the systems underpinning social and emotional wellbeing in an age of climate volatility.
- To develop interventions to harness the political importance of emotional responses to climate change, while optimising the mental health of communities in an age of climate volatility.
- To inductively understand and quantify the benefits of addressing the mental health harms associated with climate volatility.
- To translate knowledge into policy and practice through research with in-built impact to improve social and emotional wellbeing in an age of climate volatility.
Current projects
Project 2050: Using systems science to secure the health workforce against climate change
The widespread maldistribution of the Australian health workforce is creating significant health human resource shortages in non-urban areas of need. Climate-related extreme weather events (i.e., heat, droughts, fires, floods) are projected to exacerbate workforce deficiencies in rural regions. This project aims to explore how climate change will impact the future of the rural health workforce through a novel integration of computational systems science methods. The project expects to discover new policies to correct the maldistribution and strengthen the resilience of the rural health workforce against climate change impacts. Benefits include a sustained and more adaptable workforce leading to improved health for vulnerable communities. The focus of this work is on the mental health system and its various outcomes, including an exploration of how exogenous climate-related ‘shocks’ may reverberate through existing and proposed causal architecture.
Adaptive distress or maladaptive disconnect? How individuals cope with the threat of climate change.
An awareness of climate change and the belief that nothing is being done to prevent it, may impair functioning and reduce wellbeing. The term 'Eco-anxiety' is used to describe someone's feelings of distress as they watch the threat of climate change unfold. This study will explore the antecedents, characteristics and consequences of eco-anxicety, and use this information to create communication interventions to help people psychologically adapt to climate change. The research will focus on the factors causing eco-anxiety, how it affects enviornmental behaviours and how people can effectively cope with the feelings it creates.
PhD candidate: Carla Magi-Prowse
Supervisor: Associate Professor Kelly Fielding
An eco-anxiety journaling study for young Australians
Young people across the world are experiencing high rates of distressing emotions and perceptions about climate change. This study will investigate how a guided journal could assist young people (aged 16-24) to understand and manage these thoughts and feelings. Forty young Australians will use an existing journal developed in the United Kingdom during this trial. Researchers will also work with participants to develop new ideas and design features to improve the journal and adapt it to the Australian context.
If you would like to participate in this study, please email a.vercammen@uq.edu.au.
Chief investigator: Dr Ans Vercammen
Co-investigators: Dr Skye Doherty, Dr Peter Worthy, Charlie Pittaway
Funded by: Collaborative Seed Fund (School of Communication and Arts)
An examination of the relationship between health and engagement in climate advocacy behaviours
Despite evidence that collective action can be protective for mental health, individuals who engage in climate advocacy experience high rates of burnout. This study will examine climate activists' and advocates’ perceptions of the impacts of this work on their physical and mental health. It will also explore how physical and mental health challenges affect people’s ability and willingness to participate in advocacy. Participant interviews will explore lived experiences to better understand common health impacts and develop a research agenda for further empirical testing.
Investigators: Dr Robyn Gulliver and Dr Ans Vercammen, The University of Queensland; Professor Jason Wu and Dr Eden Barrett, University of New South Wales; Charlie Wood, The University of Queensland
Funded by: The Sunrise Project
Climate change and mental health across Australia and the United Kingdom
One in 10 people globally live with a mental health disorder, but little is known about how extensively climate change is adding to this burden. Climate-induced disasters can cause mental health issues such as increased anxiety, distress, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Emerging evidence also demonstrates more chronic impacts on psychosocial health including solastalgia and eco-anxiety. This study will use population data from Australia and the United Kingdom to explore trends in climate change-related mental health conditions, inequalities and resilience across geography and wealth. It includes a particular focus on vulnerable communities such as Indigenous, rural, remote and socio-economically deprived communities and young people. The research findings will provide a crucial starting point for generating awareness about the mental health impacts of climate change.
PhD candidate: Monika Walia
Supervisor: Dr Anne Cleary
Funded by: QUEX Institute
Community carers and responders - a mixed methods monitoring and evaluation study for a community-led intervention across the Northern Rivers
This study will focus on a project which aims to upskill, resource and support 100 volunteers to act as community carers and responders to increase resilience (including mental health and wellbeing) to the impacts of climate change. Researchers will design and implement a plan to monitor and evaluate the success of this project.
Investigators: (CI) Dr Jean Renouf, Rebecca McNaughton, Emma Pittaway, Prof Richard Hil, Dr Jo Longman
Funded by: New South Wales Reconstruction Authority and North Coast Primary Health Network
Community-led self-organising systems to minimise future disaster risk - a qualitative study
This study aims to describe and understand the strengths and challenges of community-organised disaster response and recovery efforts during the 2022 floods. It will be based in three regions in New South Wales, including one site in Northern Rivers, and will produce findings to assist communities in future disasters. Data for this study will be gathered through individual interviews and face-to-face participant gatherings.
Investigators: (CI) Prof David Schlosberg, Prof Danielle Celermajer, Prof Amanda Howard, A/Prof Kurt Iveson, Dr Pam Joseph, Dr Jo Longman, Prof Rosemary Lyster, A/Prof Petr Matous, Dr Nader Naderpajouh, A/Prof Margot Rawsthorne, Prof Jakelin Troy, Dr Blanche Verlie, Dr Scott Webster, Emma Pittaway, Zachary Gillies-Palmer, Dr Jodie Bailie
Funded by: New South Wales Reconstruction Authority
Connecting Climate Minds - Oceania
Connecting Climate Minds is working to foster connections between people all over the world to understand and respond to the deep interconnections between climate change and mental health. The Oceania aspect of this global initiative has two main goals:
- An ambitious and inclusive agenda for research priorities. This will guide the field to provide evidence needed for policy and practice to safeguard mental health while enabling climate action, deeply grounded in the needs of people with lived experience.
A connected, supported and engaged community of practice with the right tools to enact this agenda, including greater knowledge sharing.
Visit CCM Oceania to learn more and find out how you can get involved.
Investigators: Assoc Prof Fiona Charlson, Suhailah Ali, Dr Ans Vercammen
Funded by: Wellcome Trust
Healing Country - a mixed methods study
This project will weave together Traditional and Western knowledge to create interactive data story maps which will be used for community-led planning to minimise the harmful impacts of climate change on Country and community wellbeing. This long-term study will be based in three locations across Australia, including the Northern Rivers region, and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.
Investigators: (CI) A/Prof Veronica Matthews, Dr Brad Farrant, Dr Simon Quilty, Lynette Dimer, Dr Supriya Mathew, A/Prof Linda Ford, Glenn Pearson, A/Prof Michelle Dickson, Jasper Garay, Prof Kerrie Mengersen, Prof Sotiris Vardoulakis, Dr Ivan Hanigan, Dr Jo Longman, Kris Vine, Dr Shanthi Ramanathan, Jeff Standen, A/Prof Geoff Morgan and Prof Ross Bailie
Funded by: Australian Research Council Indigenous Discovery Grant
How parents manage climate anxiety: coping and hoping for the whole family
This study will explore how Australian parents manage climate anxiety for themselves and their families. Using mixed-methods/mixed-media approaches, it will examine whether an increase in climate disasters is accelerating the spread of collective anxiety among families, how parents manage this anxiety for their children and partners, and if there are associated mental health burdens and gendered inequities in this management. It will also look at climate anxiety management across generations and climate histories, drawing out pessimistic and optimistic narratives about the future to enable action, resilience and hope. The study will produce an evidence base, and photo-voice and documentary resources to help parents and support organisations combat climate anxiety.
Chief investigators: Associate Professor Roger Patulny and Dr Jordan McKenzie, The University of Wollongong; and Associate Professor Rebecca Olson and Associate Professor Fiona Charlson, The University of Queensland.
Partner investigators: Professor Mary Holmes, University of Edinburgh and Adjunct Professor Andreas Hernandez, University of New Mexico.
Research partners: The University of Wollongong, The University of Queensland, University of Edinburgh (UK), University of New Mexico (USA)
Funded by: Australian Research Council (Discovery Projects)
Sleep and flooding: residual impacts in flood affected areas
This study will explore how flood events in 2022-23 impacted the sleep patterns and mental health of Australians. Researchers will also investigate the ways physical (e.g. buildings, infrastructure) and social (e.g. sense of security, relationships) environments can positively and negatively influence sleep and mental health after these extreme weather events. The nationwide study will involve approximately 300 people who lived in a postcode affected by flooding. Participants will complete an online questionnaire about their experiences, the characteristics of their neighbourhood and housing environments, and their current sleep and wellbeing.
Please email sleepsoc@uq.edu.au if you would like to participate in this study.
Investigators: Dr Shannon Edmed, Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Nadine Lorimer, Professor Simon Smith
The Bee Well Program
This project will involve the development and trial of a new eco-therapy intervention targeting climate change anxiety in regional, hazard-affected youth (aged 16 – 18 years). The one-day intervention aims to build group cohesion, provide space for the discussion of eco-emotions, facilitate the building of psychological resilience, and engage participants in an activity that will support local environmental conservation efforts. The intervention will be delivered in October 2023 in Armidale, New South Wales.
Investigators: Dr Amy Lykins, Dr Suzie Cosh, Dr Amanda Jefferys, Dr Warren Bartik, Dr Phil Tully, Ms Rosie Ryan
Funded by: Peregrine Foundation
The effects of climate change on youth mental health
Young people are more physically, developmentally and psychologically vulnerable to the effects of climate change over their lifetime. However, there is currently limited research about how they experience the fear, dread and perceived threat of climate change (known as ‘climate anxiety’). This study will define and measure climate anxiety for young people, and examine the relationship between climate anxiety and other psychological responses to climate change and general mental health problems. It will also identify how young people are coping with this anxiety and provide important information on the support needed to help them protect their mental health.
PhD candidate: Tara Crandon
Supervisors: Dr Hannah Thomas, Professor James Scott, Associate Professor Fiona Charlson
The Phoenix Project
This project will involve adapting and delivering the Community-based Disaster Mental Health Intervention (James et al., 201) to support mental health resilience and disaster preparedness in a local, rural and bushfire-affected community. This work will be conducted in partnership with the Rural Fire Service with the adapted intervention delivered to the Ebor community in September 2023.
Investigators: Dr Amy Lykins, Dr Suzie Cosh, Dr Warren Bartik, Dr Phil Tully, Dr Clara Murray, Dr Kylie Rice, Ms Caitlin Pike, Ms Henriette Dohnt
Funded by: Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program
Youth mental health and climate change
This four-year project is exploring the relationships between mental ill-health (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment disorder, PTSD, substance use), climate change anxiety/concern and exposure to natural hazards in young residents (aged 16 – 25 years) in New South Wales, Australia. Data collected in early 2020 identified significant mental health struggles in the wake of natural hazards (e.g. Black Summer bushfires), as well as significant levels of climate change concern and anxiety in this population. A second round of data was gathered following the 2022 New South Wales floods and this is currently being analysed.
Investigator: Dr Amy Lykins, Dr Suzie Cosh, Dr Don Hine, Dr Melissa Parsons, Dr Belinda Craig, Dr Clara Murray, Dr Cassandra Sundaraja
PhD opportunities
Interested in completing a PhD focusing on mental health and climate change?
The Network provides opportunities to complete a higher degree by research (HDR). Benefits for PhD candidates include:
- access to a collaborative and transdisciplinary network
- access to highly experienced HDR advisors
- partnerships between field experts and academic experts to support applied research about mental health in climate change
- opportunities to shape and influence the national research agenda for mental health and climate change
- translating research to inform policy and service planning
- opportunities to advocate for the importance of research about mental health in climate change
- access to and participation in webinars, and members-only training and networking events
- promotion of your research project and findings on the Network website and in newsletters
- short-term industry placements
- resourcing and support where appropriate and feasible.
Please contact Associate Professor Fiona Charlson at f.charlson@uq.edu.au with your topic and academic CV to discuss your area of interest and proposed research. Your topic must be situated within the context of social and emotional wellbeing of communities that are impacted by climate change-related extreme weather events. Examples of possible topics are included below.
Formal applications for HDR and enquiries for scholarships must be addressed directly The University of Queensland's Graduate School.
HDR topic (example only)
Exploring the development of community-based interventions to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change
Climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century. While certain physical health impacts of climate change are well understood, for example heat-related morbidity and mortality, the acute and chronic mental health impacts of climate change remain poorly understood. Depressive and anxiety disorders are already some of the largest contributors to global disability. Failing to adequately consider the climate change implications on mental health could further exacerbate and accelerate growing global trends in mental ill-health.
The many varied links between climate change and mental health, which are highly socially and economically mediated, raise challenges in the understanding, operationalisation and measurement of these complex relationships. This impedes our understanding of how to design and deliver effective interventions that reduce the mental health impacts of climate change and secure community social and emotional wellbeing. This PhD research will address these gaps through exploring the development of interventions that aim to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change.
This PhD research will be conducted in partnership with the UQ Mental Health and Climate Change Research Network and supervised by Associate Professor Fiona Charlson, School of Public Health and Dr Anne Cleary, Institute for Social Science Research.
Contact: Associate Professor Fiona Charlson
Completed projects
2023
Keeping same on a changing climate: assessing Australian psychologists' preparedness, exposure to climate-health impacts, and willingness and barriers to acting on climate change
Climate change is expected to increasingly impact the lives of all Australians, including psychologists and their clients. This project used a nationwide survey to ask psychologists about their experiences, knowledge and perspectives relating to climate change events. Questions explored their awareness of climate change impacts on social and emotional wellbeing, and analysed their ability to identify and manage clients who are experiencing these impacts. Respondents were also asked about their personal experiences of climate change, their willingness to address the issue and any barriers that are preventing action. The survey findings deepen our understanding about gaps in knowledge and critical training needs for the mental health workforce in Australia.
MHD candidate: Gabriela Stilita
Supervisor: Associate Professor Fiona Charlson
Status: Project completed. Research papers pending.
Mental health and climate change policy review
This project investigated how effectively local, state and federal government policies address the impacts of climate change on mental health. Researchers developed and applied a framework based on three dimensions of climate change preparedness (awareness, analysis and action) to assess more than 200 health, climate change, and disaster and emergency management policy documents from across Australia. A case study also focused on local governments in Queensland, which is the most disaster-prone state in the country. The project identified policies that were working well, knowledge gaps and areas requiring further development.
Chief investigators: Suhailah Ali, Celine Ogg, Dr Joemer Maravilla, Dr Anne Cleary, Associate Professor Fiona Charlson
Status: Project completed. Research papers pending.
2022
A system dynamics model for understanding poor mental health outcomes among rural Queenslanders
This study used a systems approach to illustrate how extreme weather events including drought, limited water supplies, a bushfire and air pollution impacted the mental health of the community in Stanthorpe, Queensland.
Researchers collaborated with local government representatives, healthcare providers, social workers and community members to identify the climate change factors affecting social and emotional wellbeing. Stories shared through interviews and workshops lead to the creation of causal loop diagrams which depicted the interdependencies and interactions that were driving mental health outcomes linked to a changing climate.
Preliminary results identified six broad themes of agriculture, healthcare delivery, psychosocial factors, migration and local spending, disaster preparedness and resilience, and community cohesion and government engagement. Agricultural yields, financial security, community cohesion and access to mental health services may also play significant roles in influencing mental health outcomes.
The final model will depict the influences and drivers of poor mental health in Stanthorpe, and identify optimal intervention points to support mental health in communities experiencing climate-driven events.
Phase two of this study (awaiting funding) will build on these findings to develop a digital decision-making tool that can simulate diverse climate scenarios and identify interventions to improve mental health outcomes. The tool will help guide community, health, local government and other agencies, and inform policy, practice and investment in mental health interventions for communities impacted by climate change.
Lead investigators: Associate Professor Fiona Charlson, Dr Craig Jacobson, Dr Russell Richards.
Researcher partner: Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities (TRACC), Queensland Health
Status: Research paper in development. Seeking funding for Phase 2.
The sexual health of queer young people in Queensland
This two-year project involved qualitative longitudinal research with 60 queer young people across Queensland. Study participants were interviewed about various topics including their mental health and wellbeing, active citizenship and forms of activism, communities of identity and climate change.
Investigators: Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald, Associate Professor Allyson Mutch, Dr Judith Dean, Professor Lisa McDaid, Chris Prickard
Funded by: Queensland Sexual Health Research Fund
Status: Project completed. Research papers in development.
2021
Climate change and mental health: a scoping review
This world-first Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research study confirmed the mental health risks of climate change are well established, and new research is urgently needed to guide responses that will safeguard mental health.
The scoping review:
identified 120 research studies that used appropriate mental health assessment tools and examined mental health in the context of climate change-related exposures
assessed the studies against the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) five global research priorities for protecting human health from climate change. These priorities are assessing the risks, identifying the most effective interventions, guiding health-promoting mitigation and adaptation decisions in other sectors, improving decision-support, and estimating the costs of protecting health from climate change.
- found most studies only focused on the first WHO research priority of assessing the mental health risks associated with climate change. These studies demonstrated climate change was associated with psychological distress, worsened mental health, increased psychiatric hospitalisations, higher mortality among people with mental illness, and heightened suicide rates. Limited applied research has been conducted to identify the most effective interventions and policies to safeguard mental health as the effects of climate change become more evident.
This study highlighted that more evidence-based research is urgently needed to help policymakers, clinicians and service develop effective and appropriate responses to protect mental health.
Chief investigator: Associate Professor Fiona Charlson
Research team: Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (Queensland Health), School of Public Health (The University of Queensland), Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (Department of Global Health, University of Washington), Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC, San Diego), Department of Health Services Research and Policy (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Department of Mental Health (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore), Mental Health Programme (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston) and Metro North Mental Health Service (Queensland Health).
More information
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23 April 2021 (full study)
Urgent need to safeguard mental health in climate change (article)
Media contacts: Associate Professor Fiona Charlson, f.charlson@uq.edu.au, 0402 556 657; Faculty of Medicine Communications, med.media@uq.edu.au, 3365 5118, 0436 368 746.