About Us
The Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance is a collective impact network of interdisciplinary researchers, healthcare providers, community organizers, and organizations committed to identifying and addressing the adverse impacts of the climate crisis on mental health.
As a Canadian Not-for-Profit organization incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, the MHCCA’s purposes are to (1) conduct equity-based climate emotions and wellbeing research, (2) incubate novel interventions and policy ideas to address the mental health impacts of climate change, and (3) facilitate knowledge exchange and mobilization to support Canadians experiencing climate-related ecological distress.
Vision
Healthy people and communities engaged and empowered to protect the planet.
Mission
To support individuals and communities in protecting their mental health and building resilience in the face of climate change.
Values
Justice, Equity, Inclusion, Community, Wellness, Sustainability
Our Semi-Annual Conference
Every other year, the MHCCA hosts The Summit on Mental Health and Climate Change, which is a gathering focused on research and practice related to mental health and climate change. Join us for this annual two-day event.
Our Journal
The Journal of Mental Health and Climate Change (JMHCC) is an open-access publication that features interdisciplinary scientific research on mental health and climate change.
Our Quarterly Seminars
Several times a year, the MHCCA hosts knowledge exchange seminars, which feature the latest research and practice related to the mental health impacts of climate change.
Our Data Holdings
Given our commitment to advancing understanding of the mental health effects of climate change, we strive to make all our data accessible to the broader research community.
MHCCA Staff
Seerat Waraich
Seerat is a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) student at Queen’s University with a passion for environmental health and climate justice. She is actively involved in climate-focused initiatives and is particularly interested in how environmental change impacts population health and health equity.
Mickayla Westendorp
Mickayla is a graduate student at Lakehead University, currently pursuing a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Social-Ecological Systems, Sustainability, and Health. She is a Registered Nurse and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Windsor, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Mickayla has a passion for environmental justice, sustainability, and the field of planetary health.
Dana De Benetti
Dana is a graduate student from Lakehead University, currently pursuing a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Social Ecological Systems, Sustainability and Health. She has completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and works as a Registered Nurse in the community. Dana is interested in population health, health equity and environmental sustainability and is excited to learn and contribute to this space!
Kaylie Higgs
Kaylie Higgs (she/they) is a Project Lead with MHCCA. They hold an MPhil in Anthropocene Studies from the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Global Resource Systems from the University of British Columbia. Kaylie cares deeply about the world and strives to support just, sustainable communities and wellbeing for people and planet.
Aayush Sharma
Aayush Sharma is a Senior Data Analyst with the MHCCA. He holds an MSc and a BSc in Health Sciences from Simon Fraser University. Aayush is interested in population health and health inequities research, particularly as it relates to climate change. His previous work has centred on various social determinants of health, with publications on the built environment, mental health, and climate change.
Meet the young people helping shape our work.
Our Youth Advisory Board is leading with heart, hope, and action.
Board of Directors
Kiffer G. Card, PhD
Dr. Card is the President, Chair of the Board, and Scientific Directorof the MHCCA, an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University and a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar. His academic training focuses on social and behavioural epidemiology, with an emphasis on health equity and community-based mixed methods research.
Maya Gislason, PhD
Dr. Gislason is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. As an eco-social health equity scholar, Dr. Gislason works to improve health equity at the interface between social and ecological systems, with a particular focus on how public health is impacted by intensive resource extraction and climate change.
Gina Martin, PhD
Dr. Martin is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Disciplines at Athabasca University. Her research focuses on understanding the relationships between the environments where children and young people live, play, and learn and their wellbeing.
Arden Henley, Ed.D.
Arden Henley is a former Vice President of City University in Canada and one of the founders of its Masters of Counselling program. Arden has a BA from McMaster, an MA from Duquesne in Pittsburgh, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from SFU.
Matt Trebel
Matt Treble is a graduate student at Athabasca University completing his Masters of Counselling degree. He currently works as a Youth Mental Health Counsellor at two non-profit organizations in Victoria, British Columbia. His presentation will explore youth mental health in the context of climate change while also exploring potential overlaps with existential anxiety.
Judy Wu
Judy Wu (she/her) is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Her research is focused on investigating the mental health impacts of climate change and environmental issues on adolescents. Using data collected from the Youth Development Instrument (YDI), a population-level health and well-being survey for adolescents in British Columbia, Canada.
Paivi Abernethy
Paivi Abernethy is a Finnish-Canadian public health practitioner and academic with extensive governance experience, notably with Island Health’s Climate Strategy Committee and several non-profits. She holds a PhD in Social and Ecological Sustainability, specializing in climate justice, mental health, and Indigenous community partnerships.
Ursula D'Angelo
Ursula D'Angelo is a retired CPA and MBA with significant financial governance expertise, previously serving on the board of Peel Addiction Assessment & Referral Centre. She brings strategic insight into mental health, Indigenous communities, and climate impacts, aiming to enhance financial oversight in non-profit governance.