National Psychological Association of Ukraine Launches Online Climate Change Course

Psychologists and psychological associations have critical roles to play in addressing climate change and its impacts on mental health. The National Psychological Association of Ukraine (NPA), in consultation with the civil society organization EcoAction, recently developed a science-based online course titled “Climate Change and Mental Health” to better equip psychologists, teachers, medical staff, social workers, community activists, and other professionals to have an impact in their communities. NPA submitted this project proposal to APA’s PsychSolutions Competition, a 2020 contest that highlighted innovative, science-based initiatives aiming to address global mental health challenges. NPA was chosen as the “People’s Choice Award Winner” and received a small grant to support the production and publication of the Climate Change and Mental Health initiative in Ukraine.

More than 500 Ukrainian psychologists have completed the three-hour online courseopens in new window, which is comprised of educational video training modules, self-assessments, a final summary exam and a certificate of completion. Valeriia Palli, President of NPA and member of the Climate Change and Mental Health Working Group, hopes the course will provide a better understanding of the problem of climate change and equip professionals with effective tools for action, ultimately building capacity for change through bottom-up initiatives led by those in helping professions.

The full “Climate Change and Mental Health” course is currently available online in Ukrainianopens in new window, with plans to publish the English version. The Global Psychology Alliance hopes to use this course as a model and work with NPA to adapt it for additional countries and languages. You can view the educational videos in English below.