Local therapist Brittany Rivers and author Barbara Drake Vera will give a presentation on “Mental Health and Climate Change” at The Lynx bookstore on Monday, Sept. 2.

The free interactive event, part of the Gainesville Reads program, is slated for 6 to 7 p.m. at 601 S. Main St. in Gainesville.

Rivers will discuss grappling with feelings of anxiousness, anger and depression when thinking about climate change.

According to the release, by the end of the event, you will:

• Understand why it is crucial to process and channel your feelings about environmental change (and recognize the dangers of ‘toughing it out”).
• Identify your personal climate emotions on the “wheel.”
• Recognize the unique threats that climate change poses to the mental health of young people and environmental advocates.
• Learn ways to process and channel your feelings to empower yourself and help the planet.
• Have the opportunity to connect with the Gainesville Climate Café, a new community group for emotional support.

The Lynx will share the video of the event on its Instagram page afterward.