Understanding and managing psychological distress due to climate change.

BACKGROUND: Australia has warmed by 1.4°C since pre-industrial times. This is greater than the global average and is predicted to exceed 1.5°C by 2030. This will have significant environmental effects that can threaten human wellbeing. Most Australians have direct experience of climate change-related events, with health, social, cultural and economic impacts already evident and wide-ranging implications for mental health. OBJECTIVE: This article provides an overview of climate distress, which encompasses both 'climate anxiety' and other forms of distress related to climate change. It outlines the features and prevalence of climate distress, as well as approaches for assessment and management based on current evidence and theory. DISCUSSION: Climate distress is common and can take many forms. These concerns may not be readily disclosed, but can be sensitively elicited, and patients may benefit from the opportunity for empathic, non-judgemental exploration of their experiences. Care must be taken not to pathologise rational distress while identifying maladaptive coping strategies and serious mental illness. Management should focus on adaptive coping strategies, use evidence­based psychological interventions and draw upon emerging evidence about behavioural engagement, nature connection and group processes.

Debate: How can child and adolescent mental health professionals show leadership in the face of the ecological and climate crisis?

The authors discuss the failure of political leadership in the face of the climate and ecological crisis, particularly in the Australian context.This failure exacerbates the climate distress of young people. The work of Psychology for a Safe Climate offers clinical leadership with its support model and Climate Aware Practitioner Network. It is argued that child and adolescent mental health professionals need to show leadership both as clinicians and advocates.

A psychodynamic formulation masterclass with Nancy McWilliams.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to assess the value of a psychodynamic formulation masterclass. METHOD: Formal feedback from the presenters at a masterclass at the 2010 RANZCP Congress was obtained and arranged under different themes. RESULTS: The importance of counter-transference, reevaluating the case and supervision, witnessing the skill of an expert, the sense of containment and validation, and the importance of formulation were significant themes that emerged. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided evidence both for the importance of psychodynamic formulation and for the use of a psychodynamic formulation masterclass.