Lunch & Learn - Climate & Weather Impacts on Mental Wellbeing

Overview

Climate & Weather Impacts on Mental Wellbeing is an introductory session delivered as part of the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit’s Wellbeing Lunch and Learn Series.

This session will explore how major and extreme weather events, alongside longer-term climate change, impact mental wellbeing. Topics include climate anxiety, grief, stress, and the emotional toll of events such as bushfires, floods, heatwaves, and storms. The session will reflect on the recent Victorian bushfire emergency and the significant strain it has placed on mental wellbeing across Victoria, including how impacts and recovery can differ for people and communities depending on location, resources, and existing disadvantage.

Dr Bronwyn Gresham, clinical psychologist and CEO of Psychology for a Safe Climate, will share both professional and personal perspectives. She will be joined by lived and living experience contributors who will provide firsthand insights into coping, connection, and community care following major weather events, including how systemic and structural factors can affect access to support, recovery pathways, and resilience.

The session will highlight practical strategies to build psychological resilience and support wellbeing in the face of today’s climate and weather challenges, with consideration of equity, inclusion, and community strengths.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will be supported to:

• Understand how climate change and major weather events affect mental wellbeing

• Explore the psychological impacts of climate-related stress, anxiety, and grief

• Recognise that the mental health impacts of extreme weather events are not experienced equally, and may be shaped by systemic disadvantage, geography, and access to services

• Learn practical strategies to support personal resilience and wellbeing

• Gain insights from lived and living experience perspectives on coping, community connection, and care following major weather events

• Access tools and approaches to foster wellbeing in individuals and communities, including approaches that are trauma-informed and culturally safe

Interactive Q&A

The session includes a facilitated Q&A panel, with opportunities to submit questions in advance or during the webinar. Participants can explore real-world concerns, share experiences, and discuss how major weather events and climate impacts affect mental health and wellbeing across communities, including the role of systemic disadvantage, preparedness, and recovery supports.

About Our Speakers

This session will feature Dr Bronwyn Gresham, clinical psychologist and CEO of Psychology for a Safe Climate, alongside local lived and living experience contributors