People care - Earth care - Fair share
SOS ECO-RESILIENCE PROJECT
S.O.S; Sustainability of Self; as part of a whole living organism...
Ready to ground yourself and grow resilience in uncertain times?
Come connect, share, and build the inner and collective strength we need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The Sustainability of Self (SOS) project is your invitation to join a like-minded community where we explore practical tools, creative, nourishing practices, and reflective spaces to navigate climate, ecological, and social challenges together.
SOS OBJECTIVES
1. Cultivate Ecological Awareness:
We explore a variety of themes and practices together, recognising that meaningful community interactions and self-care are deeply interconnected with our sense of self, and reflected in our actions within the wider environment.
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Cultivate our inner world and ecological awareness by reconnecting with nature through creative, nature-based activities grounded in ecopsychology, deep ecology, sacred activism, and eco-art therapy.
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Explore how nature connection can become part of the solution to our problems, heal and rejuvenate us, and provide inner-stability and wise counsel through Nature Guided Walks and Nature Mindfulness group Eco-therapy.
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Cultivate our inner world—the ability to observe, feel, and express a full range of emotions and thoughts, including ecological concerns—while nurturing curiosity, compassion, and love and appreciation for our natural world and shared humanity.
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Gather and share a collection of techniques, resources, methods, and self-care practices focused on self-regulation and personal well-being, helping to reduce stressors that may hinder our ability to enjoy life and contribute meaningfully. Recognize how nurturing inner resilience and self-care positively impacts our relationships and the environment around us.
2. Nurture Community Resilience and Connection:
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Strengthen your relationships with others by promoting mutual support, collaboration, and a shared commitment to personal and collective resilience, building a community rooted in care and compassion.
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Explore various programs including The Work That Reconnects and Active Hope, The Good Grief 10-Step Program and Deep Adaptation meet-ups.
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Enhance range of experiences by inviting guest presenters and facilitators, and fostering opportunities for collaboration.
3. Ecological Earth Care
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Strengthen practical relationships with the living world through hands-on, earth-based learning that supports both personal empowerment and ecological regeneration.
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Discover how to actively support local biodiversity through habitat creation, native planting, pollinator-friendly gardening, and understanding our local ecosystems.
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Engage with permaculture principles, regenerative gardening, and other earth-centered approaches that honour reciprocity, respect, and care for country. Learn how to grow your own food, compost, save seeds, and reduce reliance on industrial food systems—building food resilience at the household and community level.
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Foster a deepened sense of ecological responsibility and agency by integrating knowledge with action—caring for the Earth as an extension of caring for ourselves and each other.
"Let go, release, take full refuge in the Earth and in the sun, and allow yourself to be healed." -Thich Nhat Hanh
SOS BENEFITS & TESTIMONIALS
The benefits noted are numerous, from reduced isolation and fear, increased feelings of support, enjoying nature-based interactions, and learning greater self-care techniques.
“I really enjoyed the SOS Eco-Art session today. Deb created a fantastic open and supportive environment where we all felt very comfortable stating our thoughts and feelings without judgement. I loved the quiet and contemplative art and mindfulness activities, which allowed us to express ourselves clearly and directly from the heart.” - Malcolm, June 2019
"I am grieving about the state of our environment. I have deep sorrow inside me that began to emerge as I spoke. And I feel a responsibility to keep myself strong and keep working to change things for the better... The session confirmed to me the importance of connection – connection to one’s feelings and to other like-minded people... The importance of being connected to our body and mind, to our own nature and our connection to nature. After all we share the same elements as nature. Much as we love our individuality and independence, we are inter-dependent. And we need to feel supported and to be able to support others so we can work together towards shared goals... The session also made it clear to me how different we each are and the beauty and strength in this. We each need to step up and do more but in a way that we are comfortable with... Some of us like to speak out and organise, others quietly work and influence through their art, for example, or in maintaining their emotional health to support others. Some of us will engage with politicians, others might do the necessary background research. And it’s vitally important to be able to sustain each step we take, to know when and how best we can step up, otherwise we risk falling..." - Louise, SOS workshop 2019
SOS BACKGROUND
The Sustainability of Self (SOS) project began as a personal exploration during a Master’s in Ecopsychology, tracing my journey from despair to empowerment. It has since evolved and expanded through participation in the CIty of Port Phillip Environmental Leadership course in 2021, and now continues to grow as community-focused eco-resilience project.
Originally developed to support those experiencing overwhelm, anxiety, or disconnection in the face of today’s unsustainable systems, climate crisis, and ecological breakdown, SOS provides a gentle, inclusive space for processing these responses with care and compassion.
Our emotional responses—like grief, anger, confusion, and fear—are natural and valid. The project emerged from a personal need to make space for uncomfortable emotions, and remains rooted in the belief that all feelings are welcome.
SOS Eco-Resilience Sessions were not designed for debate about climate science or the degree of ecological collapse. Some SOS groups focus on eco-distress, climate anxiety, and ecological grief, while others centre on personal wellbeing, nature-based practices, peer-to-peer support, or hands-on activities like growing food and gardening to actions that support local ecosystems.
EVENTS
Workshops and events may be stand-alone events, requested sessions, offered online, self-guided or face-to-face.
Days/Times: On request or as noted:
Please contact for a quote if you require a tailored session for yourself or group.
Locations: Online/zoom, and as noted on events or as requested.
Suitability: Adults and adolescents 18+
Group size: As noted in events (usually 6-20)
Fees: Most sessions are sliding scale and part of the fees support other not-for-profit organisations. Our lives and experiences are enriched by the diversity of participants. Everyone is welcome regardless of their financial situation, therefore we offer a tiered pricing structure. Please see the specific event or contact for more info about fees, donations, or skill-share options.
Facilitator: Deb Punton/Greensong and special guests. Please note that Deb/Greensong is not a psychologist, she is an ecopsychologist.
Online: If you are looking for an online group, please see Active Hope Study groups and other excellent climate-support groups highlighted green in resources.
"I think so many of us feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, now more than ever. Deb, and this group, made me feel that through connection, creativity and vulnurability, change is possible."
- SOS workshop participant
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
Please note: SOS sessions are not intended for individuals in crisis mode and are not a substitute for any medical care, regular treatments, and medications.
If you are feeling the need for professional help please contact:
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Kids Helpline (13-25 yr olds): 1800 551 800
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www.lifeline.org.au/Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
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www.beyondblue.org.au/Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
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Mental Health Online - www.mentalhealthonline.org.au
Other Australian helplines
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Psychology for a Safe Climate with climate-focused psychologists, education, and advice
“It's going to be beautiful to see what we dare to do. Facing our fears, and letting go of and getting over our knee-jerk reactions to what we think we don't like or are afraid of. To see our capacity to walk into the fire. To discover how much we really love being alive. To give ourselves a taste of what that passion is. To let us fall really in love with our planet, and its beauty, and to see that in ourselves, as well as in each other.” - Joanna Macy, Ph.D. Eco-philosopher, scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology
PAST EVENTS
