From Southern Oregon Climate Action Now:

Presentation by Rev. Liz Olson, M.Div. BCC (Masters of Divinity, Board Certified Chaplain)

The climate chaos that surrounds us is affecting much more than the natural world, our economy and our physical health. The changing climate and our apparent resistance to addressing it are also conspiring to affect our mental and psychological health. Rev. Liz Olson serves as a Specialty Chaplain with the in-patient Palliative Care team at Providence Medford Medical Center. With Ken Deveney, Liz has, for many years, led gatherings of SOCAN’s monthly support group ‘Sustaining Climate Activists.’

Liz has been speaking nationally on how chaplains can play a role in supporting people and communities to cope with the psychological, emotional and existential needs that are arising as we are experiencing the different impacts of climate crises. At the Association of Professional Chaplains annual conference in Houston, TX, Liz was the first chaplain to present on this topic at such a meeting. Liz was also instrumental in an online webinar produced by Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (Brandeis University) in collaboration with The BTS Center – (supporting “spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world”)

During her presentation, Liz will discuss why we should be concerned about our mental health as it pertains to climate change considering direct and indirect effects and differences among populations, particularly people of color, Indigenous communities and youth. During the second half of the program, Liz will lead us through some interactive exercises that SOCAN’s support group “Sustaining Climate Activists” uses.

SOCAN meets monthly in person with speakers on Topics related to climate change.

These meetings are free and open to the public. Specific details are posted monthly.