Disaster By Choice

Disaster Psychology

Trends in Psychological First Aid After Disasters

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on August 1, 2026

Two recent reviews of psychological first aid in disasters show ways for the field to move forward.

Two recent reviews of psychological first aid in disasters show ways for the field to move forward.

Climate Anxiety

Mental Health Impacts of “Climate Crisis” Messaging

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on June 25, 2026

A new study indicates that using fear to communicate climate change’s impacts can negatively affect mental health, and it offers ways forward.

A new study indicates that using fear to communicate climate change’s impacts can negatively affect mental health, and it offers ways forward.

Disaster Psychology

Mental Health for Future Human Settlements

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on June 5, 2026

As humanity settles new locations on and off the Earth, today's knowledge is inadequate for understanding and responding to future disaster mental health needs.

As humanity settles new locations on and off the Earth, today's knowledge is inadequate for understanding and responding to future disaster mental health needs.

Education

A New Master's Degree Helps Improve Global Mental Health

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on April 10, 2026

Mental health awareness and services remain limited globally. A new U.K. master’s degree helps close the gap.

Mental health awareness and services remain limited globally. A new U.K. master’s degree helps close the gap.

Climate Anxiety

Can We Measure Climate Change's Impact on Mental Health?

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 28, 2026

Tracking climate change’s mental health impacts is not straightforward, as attribution is challenging and data lack robustness.

Tracking climate change’s mental health impacts is not straightforward, as attribution is challenging and data lack robustness.

Environment

Dépaysement: Mental Health Impacts as the Environment Changes

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 15, 2026

Environmental change can lead to disorientation in and alienation from the familiar at home, termed “dépaysement,” adversely affecting mental health.

Environmental change can lead to disorientation in and alienation from the familiar at home, termed “dépaysement,” adversely affecting mental health.

Disaster Psychology

People Heal in Different Ways and at Different Paces

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on February 8, 2026

After a disaster, assumptions can prevail about mental health during recovery. People respond at different paces, with different timeframes, and using different mechanisms.

After a disaster, assumptions can prevail about mental health during recovery. People respond at different paces, with different timeframes, and using different mechanisms.

Environment

The Psychological Impact of Space Travel

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on December 15, 2025

As humanity looks beyond our planet, scientists investigate the psychological impact of space travel.

As humanity looks beyond our planet, scientists investigate the psychological impact of space travel.

Environment

Planetary Dysregulation and Our Mental Health

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on October 28, 2025

An out-of-balance planet leads to adverse mental health outcomes; we can act to avoid both.

An out-of-balance planet leads to adverse mental health outcomes; we can act to avoid both.

Leadership

Crisis and Risk Psychology in Norway

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on October 4, 2025

Our new paper examines the psychology of municipal leadership in Norway for avoiding crises and risks from becoming disasters.

Our new paper examines the psychology of municipal leadership in Norway for avoiding crises and risks from becoming disasters.

Climate Anxiety

Measuring Eco-anxiety, or Not

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on September 14, 2025

Efforts are being put into developing and applying scales and indices for eco-anxiety.

Efforts are being put into developing and applying scales and indices for eco-anxiety.

Disaster Psychology

Psychosocial Impacts of Belgium’s 2021 Floods

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on August 2, 2025

A recent paper offers insights into psychosocial flood impacts, examining the medium-term effects of Belgium’s 2021 flood disaster.

A recent paper offers insights into psychosocial flood impacts, examining the medium-term effects of Belgium’s 2021 flood disaster.

Education

Evaluating Mental Health Literacy Programs

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on July 30, 2025

To support educators, the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative is developing a tool for evaluating mental health literacy education programs.

To support educators, the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative is developing a tool for evaluating mental health literacy education programs.

Disaster Psychology

Psychological Effects of Sudden Himalayan Floods

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on April 16, 2025

Sudden floods in the Himalayas are leading to severe psychological impacts. A PhD student hopes her research will help.

Sudden floods in the Himalayas are leading to severe psychological impacts. A PhD student hopes her research will help.

Career

Mental Health First Aid in Bangladesh: 10 Years of Progress

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on April 9, 2025

Bangladesh has made major changes in its approach to mental health over the past 10 years via its Mental Health First Aid program. Here's what's been accomplished—and what needs to happen next.

Bangladesh has made major changes in its approach to mental health over the past 10 years via its Mental Health First Aid program. Here's what's been accomplished—and what needs to happen next.

Education

Mental Health Literacy Education

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on April 2, 2025

Greater mental health literacy can help prevent problems before they manifest and ensure that people receive the help they need and deserve.

Greater mental health literacy can help prevent problems before they manifest and ensure that people receive the help they need and deserve.

Resilience

Psychological Resilience of Emergency Responders

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 24, 2025

A new study examines emergency responders’ psychological resilience during COVID-19, offering lessons for future pandemics and other crises.

A new study examines emergency responders’ psychological resilience during COVID-19, offering lessons for future pandemics and other crises.

Mental Health Stigma

Youth Advocacy for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 15, 2025

Youth advocates and experienced advocates can work together to learn from each other about supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Youth advocates and experienced advocates can work together to learn from each other about supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Education

Supporting Student Mental Health When Teaching Grim Topics

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 2, 2025

University education should equip students to deal with grim and emotive subject matter without compromising their mental health.

University education should equip students to deal with grim and emotive subject matter without compromising their mental health.

Environment

Human-Elephant Interaction in India

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on December 13, 2024

Personal Perspective: A new podcast describes solastalgia, the adverse mental health impacts of a changing environment, on both humans and elephants in southern India.

Personal Perspective: A new podcast describes solastalgia, the adverse mental health impacts of a changing environment, on both humans and elephants in southern India.