Disaster By Choice

Self-Help

The Importance of Mental Health First Aid Training

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on November 12, 2024

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can help us to help others in need.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can help us to help others in need.

Environment

Climate Change Negotiations Again—But Don’t Despair

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on November 11, 2024

The annual climate change negotiations should not lead to climate grief or eco-anxiety but instead inspire positive action.

The annual climate change negotiations should not lead to climate grief or eco-anxiety but instead inspire positive action.

Trauma

Supporting the Mental Health of Paramedics

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on September 15, 2024

Paramedics help us during some of the worst times of our lives. Research can help them cope with the psychological impacts of working with daily trauma.

Paramedics help us during some of the worst times of our lives. Research can help them cope with the psychological impacts of working with daily trauma.

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on July 31, 2024

The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project offers training, information, and inspiration for those distressed from helping others.

The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project offers training, information, and inspiration for those distressed from helping others.

Creativity

Creative Thinking in Crisis Psychology

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on July 28, 2024

Many crises happen due to boxed-in thinking. Creative thinking can aid crisis psychology in avoiding such pitfalls.

Many crises happen due to boxed-in thinking. Creative thinking can aid crisis psychology in avoiding such pitfalls.

Climate Anxiety

Child Mental Health and Climate Change Adaptation

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on June 7, 2024

A review of 160 national climate change adaptation policies found a complete absence of addressing child mental health.

A review of 160 national climate change adaptation policies found a complete absence of addressing child mental health.

Environment

Mental Health, Violence, and Heat Waves

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on June 4, 2024

Heat-humidity affects mental health and well-being, but caution is needed is assuming direct links to violence.

Heat-humidity affects mental health and well-being, but caution is needed is assuming direct links to violence.

Environment

Evicted From Their Forest Home

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on May 14, 2024

A new podcast describes the mental health consequences of forcing Batwa in Uganda to leave their forest homes.

A new podcast describes the mental health consequences of forcing Batwa in Uganda to leave their forest homes.

Resilience

Post-Disaster Psychological Resilience

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 24, 2024

A new scientific paper examines post-disaster psychological resilience in Australia.

A new scientific paper examines post-disaster psychological resilience in Australia.

Environment

What Stops People from Helping During Crises?

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on March 17, 2024

A new scientific paper explains inhibitors to helping during a crisis and how to encourage people to do more.

A new scientific paper explains inhibitors to helping during a crisis and how to encourage people to do more.

Climate Anxiety

Environmental Magic Supports Mental Health

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on February 18, 2024

Magician Megan Swann pioneered “environmental magic,” supporting environmental action and mental health.

Magician Megan Swann pioneered “environmental magic,” supporting environmental action and mental health.

Environment

Singing for Mental Health Under Climate Change

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on December 14, 2023

A new musical composition sung by children supports mental health under climate change.

A new musical composition sung by children supports mental health under climate change.

Environment

The Mental Health of German Youth After a Flooding Disaster

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on December 13, 2023

Two scientific papers describe the mental health and coping mechanisms of youth experiencing the disaster of a flood in Germany.

Two scientific papers describe the mental health and coping mechanisms of youth experiencing the disaster of a flood in Germany.

Leadership

Firefighters, Mental Health, and COVID-19

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on December 2, 2023

To add to crisis and mental health research and action, we spoke to firefighters about their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To add to crisis and mental health research and action, we spoke to firefighters about their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environment

Children and Adolescents Coping With Disaster

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on September 17, 2023

A new scientific study explores how youth’s disaster-coping strategies can lead to maladjustment or adjustment.

A new scientific study explores how youth’s disaster-coping strategies can lead to maladjustment or adjustment.

Grief

Beyond Climate Grief

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on August 11, 2023

Eco-anxiety dominates many emotions, yet going beyond it galvanises positive action.

Eco-anxiety dominates many emotions, yet going beyond it galvanises positive action.

Environment

Environmental Psychology for a Better Future

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on August 8, 2023

Environmental psychology and philosophy take us from "solastalgia" to radical anticipation of a new era.

Environmental psychology and philosophy take us from "solastalgia" to radical anticipation of a new era.

Environment

Indigenous Reindeer Herders Experience Mental Distress

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on May 24, 2023

Indigenous people in northern Sweden experience the mental health impact of losing their land, heritage, and livelihood.

Indigenous people in northern Sweden experience the mental health impact of losing their land, heritage, and livelihood.

Environment

Supporting Mental Health Through Disaster Prevention

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on May 17, 2023

Games can help change our psychology about disasters, creating confidence that we can and should prevent them.

Games can help change our psychology about disasters, creating confidence that we can and should prevent them.

Cognition

The Mental Health Impact of Land Violence in Thailand

Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on May 16, 2023

The Pgak’yau people in northern Thailand must survive solastalgia (mental distress from forced environmental change).

The Pgak’yau people in northern Thailand must survive solastalgia (mental distress from forced environmental change).