As our changing climate disrupts the rhythms of nature that we’re accustomed to as individuals and communities, anxiety connected to these changes can impact our health and well-being. During this session, the presenters will identify different characteristics of climate anxiety and discuss strategies to navigate our personal well-being in the midst of our changing world. Presenters are: Ellie Olson, the Director for Augsburg University’s Center for Wellness and Counseling and Dr. Leah Prussia, College of Saint Scholastica’s Associate Professor of Social Work. 

Dr. Leah Prussia is a self-described “tree hugging dirt worshiper.” She understands the relationship of personal and planetary health and actively collaborates with the Natural World in the healing process.

Dr. Ellie Olson is a licensed psychologist in the state of MN and has 15 years of experience in college mental health. She is attuned to the plethora of reasons anxiety is increasing in our world and aims to create spaces where we can name and understand that anxiety, finding ways to manage it while striving to live intentional and balanced lives. 

Christine Oliver is a licensed independent clinical social worker with fifteen years of experience in college mental health.  Prior to becoming a social worker, she spent six years in the field of horticultural therapy, including four years running a small organic farm, teaming with people in early recovery and experiencing homelessness to improve both community food security and connections to the natural world. 

This event is part of Earth Week events hosted by Augsburg University and partner colleges and universities across the state of Minnesota. Go here for more information on that partnership and those events. Please register for this event here.

Location: https://tinyurl.com/ClimateAnxietyEarthWeek Password: hope

Contact: Ryan Ihrke, Sustainability Facilitator at College of Saint Scholastica, rihrke@css.edu or Monica McDaniel, Sustainability Officer (mcdaniem@augsburg.edu)