Environmental and Social Determinants of Child Mental Health
Threats to lifelong mental health can arise for young children from sources including poverty, abuse or neglect, racism, inequity, and pollution. On May 11, 15 neuroscientists, physicians, psychologists, public health researchers, and advocates came together to discuss new research and solutions to children’s mental health challenges during a daylong “Environmental and Social Determinants of Child Mental Health,” symposium hosted by MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and The JPB Foundation.
Read more at MIT News
Taming the Anxious Brain with Nature in Mind
Interest in the new frontier of nature-informed mental health has amplified in recent years. Nature-informed (psycho)therapy explores nature-based methods of psychological healing, grounded in the belief that the natural world has profound mental health benefits, especially for anxiety and stress related challenges.
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Gregory Bratman Speaks at the 2023 Invest in Nature White House Summit
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking aggressive action to conserve and restore nature, provide communities the tools they need to be resilient, and tackle the climate crisis.
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2023 Nature and Health Symposium: Healing Connections
On April 21-22, 2023, community members were invited to gather for the Healing Connections: Nature and Wellness Symposium and Community Day to celebrate Earth Day. The symposium was held at the Pagoda in Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, WA.
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BIPOC Research Collective at Nature and Health: Actions for Restoration, Sustainability and Health
Story by Allie Long
The traditional depiction of nature in research—as well as in US History, literature, art and most academic inquiries—is largely conceptualized to fit white-dominant narratives. More often than not, this comes at the direct expense and erasure of other cultures and experiences.
Exploring Personalized Virtual Nature as a Tool for People Living with Severe COPD Featuring Olivia McAnirlin
Olivia McAnirlin (she/her) is a fourth year Ph.D. Candidate in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) program and the Lab Manager of Clemson’s Virtual Reality and Nature (VRN) Lab. Her research interests include studying the psychological and physiological impacts of nature and virtual reality, as well as using virtual reality as a form of storytelling.
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Five Ways to Get Kids Outdoors in Cold Weather
Ashley Speller · On the Pulse · February 9, 2023
Featuring Dr. Pooja S. Tandon, Nature and Health researcher
With a lack of summer sunshine, the ongoing days of winter and frigid temperatures can leave families and children feeling stuck indoors.
Assessing and Addressing Environmental Disparities to Improve Psychological Well-Being
Dr. Kim Meidenbauer is Assistant Professor at Washington State University’s Department of Psychology, Health Equity Research Center. During our January 2023 Community Dinner, Kim examined how features of the physical and social environment affect individuals’ brains and their behavior.
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As Outdoor Preschools Gain Traction After COVID-19 Pandemic, States Work to Unlock Funding
Leigh Giangreco · USA Today · January 3, 2023
Featuring Dr. Amber Fyfe-Johnson, Nature and Health researcher
At least one researcher is probing whether being outdoors helps children or whether those participating in outdoor preschool benefit from other types of privilege.
New York Times: Holidays. What to do When Stressed? Nature.
The New York Times offers healthy tips to ease stress during the holidays. Gregory N. Bratman, Nature and Health researcher and Steering Committee member, reminds us of the many benefits that nature has on our health and well-being:
“Benefits can range from increased feelings of happiness and emotional well-being to positive social interaction to decreased stress and anxiety.”
– Gregory N.