Lauren Knighten - Nurturing Mental Health Through Nature

This past Monday, I attended the Panel event held by the Student Sustainability Commission about Nurturing Mental Through Nature. The panelists were Michelle Lange, a Psychology professor and clinical psychologist. Kip Redick, a professor in the Philosophy department and long-distance wilderness hiking enthusiast.  Jeffery Niehaus, a professor in the Psychology department, and Patrick Donovan, a current student majoring in psychology. I was really interested in this event because I believe it related to our class in a sense. I feel like every panelist had a unique view of nature and how it can affect our mental health. I think every panelist was clear on what was meant by nature but then Dr. Redick brought up all the different ways nature could be perceived and that it could be good and bad for us. I enjoyed all the information given on practical ways that nature directly impacts us such as when we study outside or take long walks. It's funny how the weather got brought up and how when it gets warm on campus everyone goes and sits outside because it makes us feel better. I forgot who said it but it was how nature can reduce stress and anxiety. It was interesting to see how the topic of nature led to multiple different interpretations of nature. Overall, the panel was very informative and I think nature and the conservation of nature should be talked about more!