When you think about nature helping mental health, what picture comes to your mind? Would it be time spent in a garden, or time photographing or drawing something in nature? A walk on a sunny day, looking out for wild flowers and trees? Or perhaps enjoying sport outdoors, like cricket or windsurfing?
Back in 2016 Natural England commissioned a review of "nature-based interventions for mental health care".* Eight years may have elapsed, and a lot has changed and developed, but the report is still an important overview of the part nature plays in mental health care. It highlights spiraling demand for mental health support – something which has only grown over the intervening years. And it considers three major forms of nature-based intervention: social and therapeutic horticulture (the most common), care farming, and environmental conservation. All remain central to this day.
All are particularly important, positive and helpful because they are active and practical. They get people digging, planting, clearing, feeding animals, cutting scrub. Interacting actively with nature adds another layer. Feeling inactive, powerless and passive is known to fuel depression and anxiety alike, while feeling fulfilled and empowered can build confidence and self-worth. Seeing tangible, if small, results makes a difference. That flower you planted, that fence you helped repair, that bird box you fixed on the tree – they become your stamp on wherever you are.
The Natural England review also recommended how nature-based interventions could be improved. Cooperating and working together across organisations was one idea, another was scaling up work to reach more people. In the years since the review was published, these approaches to mental health care have grown through social prescribing and greater awareness.
There are so many different ways to experience nature at first hand. It might be with others – a community group of people you know or of strangers– or alone or with family or friends. It might be in a familiar setting like a park or wood, or it might be somewhere new you're discovering for the first time. Which do you think would be most beneficial? Would you feel calmer and more mindful alone with the trees, listening and looking for what might appear? Or would you prefer to be in a group, sharing the experience?
Would taking part in a specific mental health nature initiative be the most helpful for you? These are more likely to be varied, with opportunities to try different activities and experience different aspects of nature. Going along to an organised, regular event can also help if you struggle with apathy and motivation on your own. And gathering with others has the added benefit of uniting people in community. A lot depends on where you live and how easy it is to access green spaces or therapy events. Physical health issues, frailty or disability can also all limit people's freedom to explore the outdoors, making organised activities sometimes more practicable.
It would be good if you'd like to share experiences or thoughts in Medley's Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/359291215486002 Thank you
*Bragg R., Atkins G., 2016 A Review of nature-based interventions for mental health care, Natural England Commissioned Reports No. 204
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