Unveiling the Mental Health Toll of Climate Disasters

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and mental health researcher Jyoti Mishra. Jyoti has been investigating how mindfulness and attention training affect our brains, and can help in the context of mental health challenges related to climate disasters and other trauma. This conversation covers many topics, including:

• her intertwined interests in neuroscience, meditation, and mental health;
• understanding climate trauma and its unique impacts on mental health;
• community resilience and action in the face of disaster;
• the rise of mental health issues worldwide;
• studying the mental health and brain function impacts of the deadliest fire in CA history;
• healing broken relationships with nature through mindfulness and ecotherapy;
• social justice issues around climate vulnerability;
• how childhood adversity affects brain circuitry for emotional awareness;
• developing contemplative tech interventions for disadvantaged youth, and impacts on brain and daily life functioning;
• nature and the sense of self;
• regulating the stress response through mindfulness and social connection;
• and empowering youth through the Climate Change & Mental Health Initiative.

Full show notes and resources