Climate Disasters and Your Health

The Southern Highlands has experienced extreme drought, bushfires, and floods. These events can have a significant impact on our health.

Come to a FREE workshop to learn about climate change’s health impacts and how to prepare for emergencies.

Designed for the general community, local service providers and health professionals, the forum is presented by South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD).

Key Speakers:

DR HELEN REDMOND

Doctors for the Environment

Dr Helen Redmond MBBS FAFRM (RACP) is a rehabilitation medicine physician working at Liverpool Hospital Brain Injury Service and a conjoint lecturer at UNSW, teaching Environmental Health to medical undergraduates. Helen has been a volunteer for public health advocacy group Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) since 2010. She has given numerous community talks on the health impacts of climate change and has given a TED presentation on why climate change is a health issue in 2020. Currently Helen is national convenor of DEA’s divestment work, engaging with superannuation funds, banks and other large investors regarding healthy sustainable investments.

DR LEANNE CRAZE

Mental Health SWSLHD

From being the Secretary of the Inquiry into the Human Rights of People with mental illness in the 1990s, to authoring the National Framework for Recovery Oriented, Mental Health Services and Peer Work Frameworks, Leanne continues to contribute to the ongoing development of Mental Health Services. In recent years, Leanne has sought to promote awareness of the mental health impacts of climate change, and ways in which services and communities can work together to respond. In 2017, Leanne was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contribution to mental health services. Leanne also has a PhD in social work in the care and treatment of mentally ill offenders.

JUDITH COLLINS

Local Author

Judith Collins is a well-known author, social ecologist, writer and public speaker. With 50 years of experience in healing, education and sustainable living, she has become a regular on television and radio. In 1983, she was awarded the prestigious Advance Australia award in recognition for her contribution to the community. She lectures, writes for a number of magazines and conducts workshops around Australia and internationally. She has lived experience of the recent bushfires.

DR CHLOE WATFERN

Black Dog Institute

Chloe Watfern is a transdisciplinary researcher who presents, publishes and leads creative workshops about the connections between climate change and mental health. She is passionate about using inclusive and arts-based methods that involve meaningful collaboration with communities. She completed her PhD at the University of New South Wales in 2022 and is a research associate at the Black Dog Institute and the Consumer and Community Involvement and Knowledge Translation Strategic Platform of Maridulu Budyari Gumal Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE).

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS:

Workshops aimed to engage and inspire change:

Tacking Action: Personal Steps to Combat Climate Change - WinZero - Chris McGuigan

This workshop will provide practical steps for reducing your personal carbon footprint, saving money, and improving the comfort of your home, while also positively impacting your mental health and sense of purpose.

Disaster Preparedness - Elizabeth Atkin

This workshop will provide practical advice and information on preparing people for the unexpected. This includes finances, insurance issues, mental preparation, and recovery.

Energising Self-Care - Wild Flower Holistic Services

Self-care is an important part of daily life, but it is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when life is busy and stressful. People often think that taking time for themselves seems self-indulgent but looking after your own well-being will help you care for others. 

A light lunch will be provided.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable and fulfilling future for all. Register now to secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/climate-disasters-and-your-health-tickets-592012905537

Organised with support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and grant funding from the Australian Government.

When

Location

Civic Centre Theatrette, 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale, 2577, View Map