Thread by @rcpsych

Now for the split sessions! We're looking at the intersection of psychiatry and climate change, in 'Activist psychiatrists and the climate and ecological emergency', with @h_pinto13, @kirstenshukla and @DazeAghaji – chaired by @LynneJonespsych at #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych "There's never been a time when activism wasn't needed," says @LynneJonespsych, and now is an especially crucial time. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Now @h_pinto13 talks about the route that led her to having been arrested four times for non-violent protest. Reading the IPCC report left her in tears, especially when considering her children.

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Within four years, England will not have enough water to meet demand, quotes @h_pinto13. "What we are seeing is not the new normal - it's just a taste of what's to come. As well as a climate emergency, we have an ecological emergency, and a pollution emergency." #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych The pledges countries made with the 2016 Paris Climate agreement are not matching up to reality. No industrialised country has made significant progress towards them, says @h_pinto13 at #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych All these factors led to @h_pinto13 joining Greenpeace, followed by Extinction Rebellion. When a polite young police officer asked her to move her protest to a permitted area, she responded that she'd done that before and been ignored. "There's no time for that now." #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych "Health professionals have a vital role to play in protest. Our presence and expertise helps to validate the protest. Our professional is still one of the most trusted, and our skills are valuable." #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Next we have @kirstenshukla looking at mental health impacts of climate change, the failure of governments to act, how this can lead the young to feel abandoned, and what we can do about it. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych In the most direct sense, increased heat can disturb sleep and is associated with mood disorders, anxiety and suicides. It can also lead to increased crime and/or violence. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Rising sea levels can alter a population's relationship with the sea, and cause anxiety and insecurity in one's home. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Eco anxiety is not included in the ICD10 or DSM5 - because it's not a diagnosis or illness. It's a rational response to reality, says @kirstenshukla at #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych There are too many examples of government's failures to act to list here. Fuel duty has been frozen, rail fares have been raised, at the same time as the government continually fails to meet its own climate targets, says @kirstenshukla at #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Even worse is government action to shut down protest aiming to highlight the threat of climate change. "It is a foolish man who removes his fire alarms and says there is no fire" #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych "Why do doctors need to become activists? We're used to dealing with existential crises, especially psychiatrists." And the solutions to the crisis will also have health benefits. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych And finally, we have climate activist @DazeAghaji speaking with psychiatrist Dr Nick Barnes. Daze was involved in crafting the statement on climate change put out by the College last year. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych "Everyone on this panel has decided to do something, and that's honourable," says @DazeAghaji. Daze grew up in poverty, next to an incinerator - and only much later realised this likely contributed to having asthma along with many in the same school class. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych In Extinction Rebellion, @DazeAghaji found a community "willing to hold her in her grief", and made her realise this isn't just a climate issue, it's a human rights issue. Daze helped organise XR Youth, and made a space for young people to express their views. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych Dr Banes askes what Daze's view is on managing the grief and despair of the situation, and balancing it with the passion? By clinging onto hope, and that realising 'action is my saviour', using the tools and community that now exist. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych What do you feel psychiatrists, and the College, can do? "Do the work", says @DazeAghaji. There's a feeling of being "stuck", or "too big" to be able to be agile and flow with what society needs right now. #RCPsychIC

@h_pinto13 @kirstenshukla @DazeAghaji @LynneJonespsych "What's your takeaway message?" asks Dr Barnes. "Base every single action on the ideas of love, duty and care to our communities and our planet – that's what's going to change the world" responds @DazeAghaji at #RCPsychIC