Today's Messages

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Mental health consequences of mountain top coal mining,” presented by Dr. Ellen Steele on Monday, September 29, at 3:00 p.m. in SAMC 151. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:45 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies leading up to the seminar.

Research Seminar Abstract: Dr. Ellie Steele has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Research Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry Department at the University at Buffalo. She will be discussing a project examining the psychosocial impacts of mountaintop coal mining in Appalachia. The current study examined relative risk for diagnosis of depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders as measured in Emergency Departments in areas with and without Mountain Top Coal Mining. Analyses controlled for ethnicity, rurality, income, and gender. Results indicated higher risk for depressive and substance use disorders, however not anxiety disorders. Findings have public health policy implications and build on prior research indicating negative mental and physical health outcomes related to MTR and solastalgia broadly. Additionally, there will be discussion of interdepartmental collaboration.