Skip to main content
Print bookPrint book

References and acknowledgements

Site: OpenLearn Create
Course: IAU Office of Astronomy for Development Astronomy for Mental Health
Book: References and acknowledgements
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025, 10:31 AM

Description

This section recognizes the sources, materials, and contributions that informed and supported the development of this course. All external resources, research articles, and materials referenced throughout the content are listed here for transparency and further reading.

We also extend our gratitude to the individuals, organizations, and collaborators whose expertise, feedback, and dedication helped shape and enhance this learning experience.

Table of contents

1. References

Bibliography:

  1. Anna Katharina Schaffner. (2024). On “Cosmic Insignificance Therapy” | Psychology Today. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-of-self-improvement/202401/on-cosmic-insignificance-therapy 
  2. Chirico, A., Ferrise, F., Cordella, L., & Gaggioli, A. (2018). Designing Awe in Virtual Reality: An Experimental Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02351 
  3. Coventry, P. A., Brown, JenniferV. E., Pervin, J., Brabyn, S., Pateman, R., Breedvelt, J., Gilbody, S., Stancliffe, R., McEachan, R., & White, PiranC. L. (2021). Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SSM - Population Health, 16, 100934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100934 
  4. Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. G. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (Second edition, paperback edition). The Guilford Press. 
  5. Moitra, M., Owens, S., Hailemariam, M., Wilson, K. S., Mensa-Kwao, A., Gonese, G., Kamamia, C. K., White, B., Young, D. M., & Collins, P. Y. (2023). Global Mental Health: Where We Are and Where We Are Going. Current Psychiatry Reports, 25(7), 301–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-023-01426-8 
  6. Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018 
  7. The sky and the weather—A metaphor—Dr M Joann Wright. (n.d.). Contextual Consulting. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://contextualconsulting.co.uk/resources/the-sky-and-the-weather 
  8. Thoma, M. V., Rohleder, N., & Rohner, S. L. (2021). Clinical Ecopsychology: The Mental Health Impacts and Underlying Pathways of the Climate and Environmental Crisis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.675936 
  9. Vertue, R. (2023, November 21). IAPS-OAD Mental Health Workshop on “Planetary Self-Care Activities.” IAU Office of Astronomy for Development. https://astro4dev.org/iaps-oad-mental-health-workshop-on-planetary-self-care-activities/ 
  10. WHO. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide 
  11. WHO. (2023b). Mental disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders 
  12. WHO. (2023c). SDG Target 3.4 | Noncommunicable diseases and mental health: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/indicator-groups/indicator-group-details/GHO/sdg-target-3.4-noncommunicable-diseases-and-mental-health 
  13. World Health Organization. (2023). Anxiety disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders

2. Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements:

Volunteer who helped with Module 1, Daysi Quinatoa.

The OAD team directly involved in creating this course:

  • Charles Takalana: Deputy Director
  • Dominic Vertue: Astronomy for Mental Health Lead
  • Joyful Mdhluli: Flagships Coordinator
  • Ramasamy Venugopal: Operations & Programs