Subjectivity in a context of environmental change: opening new dialogues in mental health research

Abstract

In a period of unstable experimentation with challenges of globalisation of associated risks, and disenchantment with 'enduring injustice', we bring forward a consideration of subjectivity to the study of environmental change and mental health. We begin by identifying how mainstream climate change and mental health studies are unable to explain the emergent and co-evolutionary pathways of agency. As a means of freeing these studies of their objective dimensions of linear-causation, we argue in favour of a repositioning of subjectivity within an appreciation of recognition conflicts and beyond the over-deterministic interpretations of power centres-state, market or religion-. We draw on one example of scientific research that was conducted in a region undergoing strong environmental, social and cultural changes, in the state of São Paulo / Brazil, with the aim to open mental health research to new dialogues, to which we contribute with the notion of the 'pluriversal subject'.

The Importance of the Concept of Subjectivity: New Lines of Research

“…One gap we identified is the relationship between environmental questions, environmental impacts, and environmental approaches to subjectivity and the human psyche. Although there have been important contributions from a number of places, after 2 years of research (Barbosa, 1996;Seixas et al, 2010;Seixas & Nunes, 2017), we have discovered several missing points necessary to establishing this important relationship. We also discovered that much still needs to be identified and clarified in order to establish the support needed for dealing with the great challenges which environmental changes impose on the planet and, in turn, the quality of human life.…”

“…Some have alerted about the impacts on mental health as well, (Van Susteren, 2018, Clayton et al, 2015, Coverdale et al, 2018, Wei-Lun et al, 2018. We had the opportunity to draw attention to this in Seixas and Nunes (2017) but the identification and unfolding of these impacts on subjectivity or psyche is something we have only been able to identify recently. Now we have the opportunity to delve into these concepts here in this book.…”

“…In 2017 an article was published (Seixas & Nunes, 2017) that was the fruit of an extensive revision of scientific literature on this subject. This work underscored these gaps and the ways in which science and other disciplines are positioning themselves to resolve them.…”

“…We will discuss this in this chapter. Seixas and Nunes (2017) tried different ways of approaching this theme and in some ways filled the gap. However, they were never able to effectively deal with the question because they didn't touch directly upon the subjective dimension of the human psyche and mental health.…”

Introduction

“…Several studies (Obradovich et al, 2018;Seixas & Nunes, 2017) have recently indicated that the impacts of climate change are likely to effect and undermine mental health through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. Studies show that hotter temperatures and added precipitation both worsen mental health, and that multiyear warming is connected to an increased prevalence of mental health issues.…”