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Submission information
Submission Number: 66
Submission ID: 830
Submission UUID: 1ecb3164-9f52-453d-bc12-fb8c8c60df12
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Thu, 04/24/2025 - 18:18
Completed: Thu, 04/24/2025 - 19:25
Changed: Wed, 06/11/2025 - 09:43
Remote IP address: 102.221.201.12
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
| Title | Dr. |
|---|---|
| Lastname | Xaba |
| Firstname | Fikile |
| xabaf@unizulu.ac.za | |
| Mobile | 0826642131 |
| Institution | University of zululand |
| Biosketch | Dr Fikile Xaba Dr Fikile Xaba is a Lecturer & Researcher employed by the University of Zululand, Social Work Department. She is a qualified and well experienced Social Worker registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). She has field-practice experience in the public service, having practiced in the areas of corrections/ rehabilitation, social development, and employee wellness. She worked as a private practitioner, specialising in Psychosocial counselling. and employee wellness services. She holds four post matric qualifications (BA in Social Work, Honours (BPA), MPA, PhD in Development studies and various short-term continuous professional development certificates. She has published several papers in international journals. She ha sus supervised and graduated Masters and Ph students. She regards herself as a self-driven and a result- oriented individual, who embraces both teamwork and autonomous functioning. She believes in life-long learning and have demonstrable skills. Her research interest is on Green social work and climate change, Employee wellness, Women empowerment, Wellbeing and Sustainable Development. |
| Is there a Second Presenter? | Yes |
| Title | Ms. |
| Lastname | Simelane |
| Firstname | Nomkhosi |
| nomkhosi03@gmail.com | |
| Mobile | 0810491189 |
| Institution | University of Zululand |
| Biosketch | Ms Nomkhosi Simelane Ms Nomkhosi Simelane is a Director Integrated Employee Health and Wellness at Gauteng Department of Health. She is a qualified and well experienced Social Worker registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and registered with EAPA-SA Employee Assistance Professionals Association of SA and a current board member of EAPA-SA. She holds a BA in Social Work, Post Grad Diploma in HR and Public Admin, Advanced Organisational Development Programme and Masters in Social Work (EAP). She is currently a PhD student at the University of Zululand. She has held different roles in designing, implementing and evaluating Employee Health and Wellness Programmes in various organisations from the private and public sector. She has extensive experience of implementing customised and targeted interventions in the workplace like mental health, addictive behaviours, HIV and ensure policy development to align strategic positioning of EHWP. She has vested interests in Employee Health and Wellness with specific interest to Mental health and Wellbeing |
| Is there a Third Presenter? | No |
| Title of Presentatation | Policy Gaps in Addressing Climate Change as a Mental Health Crisis: A Green Social Work Perspective |
| Theme Selection | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises |
| Subtheme ONE Selection | SUB 1.4 How social workers influence policies to address climate justice and environmental sustainability. |
| Select your Presentation Type | Oral Presentation |
| Abstract | Climate change presents an escalating global threat, not only in environmental and economic terms but also as a significant mental health concern. The psychological consequences, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eco-grief, are especially pronounced among vulnerable and marginalised populations. Despite the mounting evidence linking climate-related events to mental health outcomes, policy frameworks at both national and international levels frequently neglect these psychosocial dimensions. The mental health impacts of environmental degradation, extreme weather, and displacement remain largely absent from climate adaptation strategies. This paper examines these critical policy gaps through a green social work lens, which emphasises ecological justice, community resilience, and the intersection of environmental and human well-being. A systematic search and thematic coding of documents were conducted using to identify themes related to mental health considerations in climate policy. Drawing on secondary literature review, the paper demonstrates how current policies fail to address the complex emotional and psychological needs of affected communities, particularly those facing systemic disadvantage. Findings also reveal that mental health services, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive interventions are rarely integrated into climate change strategies. Even though some disaster-related institutions and systems acknowledge the social impacts of climate vulnerability, very few plans include targeted mental health components or collaborative frameworks involving health and social services. The paper concludes by stating that integrating mental health into climate adaptation is not optional, but essential. A green social work approach offers a way forward to ensure more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable climate policies. Keywords: Climate change, community resilience, eco-anxiety, environmental justice, green social work, mental health, policy gaps, social work advocacy, trauma-informed care. |
| Title | Dr |
| Firstname | Zurina |
| Lastname | Abdulla |
| Does the Abstract fit the selected Theme? | Yes |
| What Area does this Abstract Focus on? | Empirical Research |
| Status | Accepted |
| Title | |
| Firstname | |
| Lastname | Admin |
| Does the Abstract fit the selected Theme? | Yes |
| What Area does this Abstract Focus on? | Empirical Research |
| Status | Accepted |