22 JANUARY | 3:00 PM | ONLINE
This webinar, titled "Mental Health and Contact with Nature: Theory and Practice," is part of the network's training activities. Composing Worlds: Humanities, Wellbeing and Healthand, it will address the link between nature and health.
Introduction
The increasing pressures of daily life, chronic stress, social isolation, and rapid urbanisation have been intensifying the challenges associated with mental health in contemporary societies. Anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion are now increasingly prevalent realities, demanding new approaches to reflection and intervention.
In this context, scientific research has consistently demonstrated the positive role of contact with nature in promoting psychological health and well-being. Natural environments contribute to stress reduction, attention restoration, increased emotional vitality, and a strengthened sense of belonging and connection to the world around us.
This initiative proposes a space for sharing and reflection that crosses theory, scientific evidence and practical experience in the territory, bringing together contributions from Psychology, Ecopsychology, Positive Psychology and practices such as Forest Therapy.
The session will be facilitated by Carla Fonte, a lecturer at FCHS – UFP, and Rita Pereira, Founder and facilitator of Plant2care, promoting dialogue between academic knowledge and practical intervention, in an invitation to reconnect with nature as a fundamental resource for mental health care.
Objectives
Reflecting on the current mental health challenges associated with urbanisation and social isolation
Scientific evidence on the restorative effects of contact with nature
Explore contributions from Ecopsychology, Positive Psychology, and nature-based practices
To promote the link between research, theory, and practical experience
Target audience
Students and researchers in the fields of Psychology, Education, Social and Environmental Sciences
Healthcare and community intervention professionals
General public with an interest in wellbeing, ecology and mental health
An opportunity to cross science, experience and inspiration, paving the way for new ways to care for life — both within and outside of us.
The session will be recorded and subsequently uploaded to the CM network project page, where you will be able to find supportive documents and videos for the webinar: https://compormundos.
