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Research Questions/Objectives:
Brief Description of the Project: The study will involve a qualitative analysis to investigate the predictive correlation between drought and adverse chronic climate conditions and public mental health in rural Queensland. This will involve a series of multi-component factorial interviews with participants within the population of rural Queensland in order to obtain data suggestive of the factors that may give rise to poor mental health during periods of drought. I also will aim to interview in order to obtain qualitative data suggestive of factors related to resilience that may indicate ways in which poor mental health can be prevented during times of drought.
Background and Significance of the Research Question to drought risk, vulnerability, preparedness, or resilience:
There is a wide canon of literature indicating poor mental health outcomes for communities in remote and rural Queensland. This appears to be particularly exacerbated within periods of intense drought or adverse climatic conditions. Nevertheless, there is limited psychological studies that have been conducted to (a) investigate the correlation between drought and poor mental health outcomes and (b) if a link is identified, the extent to which public mental health resources and tools can be implemented to build resilience within these remote communities and limit their devastating impact on community mental health.
I intend on developing a study that not only explores the risk of drought on public mental health, but also the extent to which community organisations can facilitate mental resilience so as to prepare for and prevent poor mental health outcomes as a result of a drought-prone environment.
Academic and research experience relevant to the honours project: I have extensive research experience in this space. Having completed my undergraduate psychology degree with a qualitative thesis focused on the correlation between traumatic socio-sexual factors during adolescence and public mental health risk factors during adulthood in rural Queensland, I am well equipped to complete a similar study focused on the harmful impact of drought upon mental health outcomes in the same area. I have built a connection with the region and its people, and look forward to executing this complex but highly rewarding honours project.
Principal Supervisor’s skills and experience in relation to this project topic: Dr Pardon completed her PhD in environmental psychology and has a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Dr Pardon’s doctoral work examined at-risk communities perceptions of and response to water-related threats. This work resulted in a series of tailored recommendations to aid at-risk communities navigating through climatic disasters, specifically droughts and floods. Additionally, Dr Pardon has conducted research investigating the mental health needs of at-risk populations confronting extreme weather events in Australia.
I’m very excited about diving into psychology, especially to dig into how extreme weather events, like droughts, mess with the mental health of folks in rural areas. Opting for a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) isn’t just a personal thing for me—it’s my commitment to tackling the unique challenges rural communities face and boosting the ability of health professionals to handle these tricky situations.
I have been a Crisis Supporter at Lifeline Australia and have seen first hand the impact of drought and extreme weather events on the mental health of farmers, and this has really lit a fire in me. Seeing myself how droughts take a toll on mental health in rural areas, I’m keen to contribute something meaningful to the field.
Choosing to go for an Honours degree aligns perfectly with my plan to dive into research. I want to explore the nitty-gritty of how extreme weather events, especially the long, dry spells, mess with mental health in rural communities. I’m passionate about investigating how health professionals can step up their game to navigate and tackle these mental health challenges effectively.
My research will shine a spotlight on the competence of health professionals in handling the mental health impact of extreme weather events. I’m itching to bring my bit to the table, digging into how droughts specifically mess with mental well-being in rural areas and figuring out effective strategies to amp up the skills of health professionals.
Future Career Goals:
My future career goal is to become a clinical psychologist with a specific focus on helping rural populations in vulnerable areas. I am driven by a deep commitment to addressing mental health disparities in underserved communities. By choosing to work in rural areas, I aim to provide essential mental health support where resources may be limited. This reflects my dedication to making a meaningful impact on the well-being of individuals in these communities, demonstrating both empathy and a strong sense of social responsibility. Pursuing a career in clinical psychology with a rural focus allows me to contribute to fostering mental health equity and enhancing overall community resilience.
Dealing with extreme weather: Community and Health Professional Perspectives
Overview
This study aimed to both:
14 mental health professionals across Australia were asked a series of questions as part of a semi-structured interview process to investigate the study aims. These covered topics relating to (1) the participants professional training and areas of interest, (2) views about extreme weather events and global warming, (3) experiences with treating individuals presenting with concerns relating to extreme weather events, (4) perspectives on their own perceived confidence or limitations in providing treatment, and (5) prospective solutions to assist with confidence.
Key Research Findings
Six key topics or ‘themes’ were identified. Themes (1) and (2) developed from RQ1 and related to the views of health professionals on the mental health effects of extreme weather events. Themes (3)-(6) emerged from RQ2 and related to the capacity, confidence and limitations of mental health professionals to provide support to individuals and communities impacted by extreme weather events:
(1) Generational views (differences in age determining views on extreme weather events and its impact).
Participants identified a clear differentiation in presenting concerns between clients from older and younger generations. Clients from younger generations were identified as presenting with ‘future-focused’ mental concerns, termed ‘eco-anxiety’ or ‘climate anxiety’, relating to the environmental world they will inherit in the future. Contrastingly, many participants identified that older clients tended to present with symptoms consistent with ‘grief’, ‘trauma’ and ‘loss’ usually directly in response to an extreme weather event that had already occurred. Some noted that this was due to older generations typically having access to greater financial means or assets that were directly impacted by an extreme weather event.
(2) Location location location (Residential location of individuals influencing the mental health impact and views of extreme weather events).
Participants further specified the presentational differences between clients from rural and metropolitan backgrounds. Many identified that clients who hailed from rural or regional areas tended to present with more ‘pronounced psychological effects’ and have personally experienced the devastation of extreme weather events, such as ‘rural vets, workers in agriculture, business owners…primary producers’. In comparison, participants tended to classify metropolitan-based clients as less likely to have direct exposure to an extreme weather event, and thus presented with a more generalised anxiety concerning the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events nationally.
(3) Nature of training and professional experiences (The training and professional background of mental health professionals influences their perceived confidence in treating those impacted by extreme weather events).
Many participants noted lacking ‘existence’ or ‘access’ to training or professional development that addressed extreme weather related presenting concerns. Of those who had, practitioners identified training and specialised professional development experiences as fundamental to their self-reported confidence. All participants confirmed that there was no specific training during their tertiary studies that related to the mental health impacts of natural disasters or extreme weather events. Many participants expressed an interest in actively seeking out or completing such specialised training, however almost all participants identified that they ‘would not know where to look’ or were not aware of any such training that exists.
(4) Approaches to treatment (The individual attitude and approach to treatment of the mental health professional. Whether the professional considers specific context/aetiology of presenting concerns or takes a more transdiagnostic or humancentric stance to therapy).
A common feature identified as determining perceived confidence was a practitioner’s individual approach to therapy. The most prevalent distinction noted was participants who assumed a ‘transdiagnostic’ or ‘human-centric’ focus when treating mental health issues of grief, trauma, anxiety or loss, and those who preferred to account for the ‘aetiology and context of a presenting concern’. Some participants referred to the ‘transferability’ of clinical skills to populations affected by extreme weather events, opining that understanding the basics of broader treatment models are sufficient to appropriately treat such clients. Accordingly, participants who employed a transdiagnostic approach appeared most confident in treating such presenting concerns without additional training at present, whilst those who favoured a contextual methodology identified lacking confidence in this area without additional training. Divisive views existed from participants as to which approach might be most effective in treating such clients.
(5) Location or specialty of workplaces (The specific location where a mental health professional practices and the field of specialty or clientele that the workplace or organisation focuses on).
Participants further identified the geographic location of their workplace, nature of the organisation and their subsequent exposure to clients affected by extreme weather events as relevant to their perceived confidence. Participants employed in rural locations self-reported most confident in responding to extreme weather events-related mental health problems. Comparably, participants working in inner-city environments described feeling less confident in working with populations impacted by these events. Participants who worked in mental health services targeted to disaster response, rural public health, or trauma/grief counselling reported markedly more confident than those in workplaces providing services less relevant to extreme weather event-concerns.
(6) Cross cultural considerations (The skills required to work cross-culturally in populations affected by extreme weather events, such as regional or Indigenous communities).
Many participants identified cross-cultural considerations inherent to treating those impacted by extreme weather events, such as those residing in rural locations, and their associated communities and context. Participants often referred to ‘unique communication skills’ required to properly understand such clients and the mechanics of their communities, particularly for professionals originating from a metropolitan space. Many other participants noted the need for professionals to understand the specific prolonged socio-cultural impacts of extreme weather events in micro-communities. Notably, some described the unique recovery process in regions that rely on agriculture or primary industries. Participants also noted the cross-cultural barriers experienced by metropolitan professionals moving to regional or Indigenous communities to support those impacted by extreme weather events.
Milestone 2: Executive Report, Blake Lovely
Dealing with Extreme Weather: Australian Mental Health Professionals Weathering Climate and Environmental Challenges
Overview
This study aimed to explore the perspectives of mental health professionals on the mental health impacts of extreme weather events, such as drought (RQ1) and to assess their capacity, confidence, and limitations in supporting individuals and building resilience in communities affected by such events (RQ2). Qualitative findings revealed that the manifestation of mental health issues related to extreme weather largely depended on the age and location of the client. Additionally, participants’ self-reported confidence in treating those affected by extreme weather varied, largely influenced by their professional background, treatment approach, workplace location, and cross-cultural skills. These key factors could inform research and policy aimed at enhancing the ability of mental health professionals to effectively support populations in Australia impacted by extreme weather events.
Practical Applications
Conclusion
In summary, this study offers initial evidence of a general lack of confidence among Australian mental health professionals in addressing the needs of individuals affected by extreme weather events. As more people seek mental health services for this issue, the findings highlight the necessity for additional specialized training and the development of tailored resources based on specific regions and types of extreme weather. This may involve creating a dedicated, long-term workforce to respond to the rising occurrence of such events. The study advocates for practical policy changes in the training of mental health professionals and identifies several factors that impact their confidence and competence. By addressing this urgent need, the Australian mental healthcare system can better adapt to the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events, ultimately supporting the mental wellbeing and resilience of communities across both regional and urban areas.
