Nature's Cure: How Green Prescribing is Transforming Mental Health in England
A groundbreaking initiative in England has demonstrated that connecting individuals with nature can significantly enhance mental health, according to a recent report. This government-supported program, known as “green social prescribing”, involves recommending nature-based activities to address mental health challenges. To date, over 8,000 people across England have participated in activities such as nature walks, community gardening, tree planting, and wild swimming. This project is believed to be the largest of its kind worldwide.
The study revealed that engagement in these nature-based schemes led to substantial improvements in participants' well-being. Individuals reported increased levels of happiness and a stronger sense that their lives were meaningful, approaching national averages. Additionally, anxiety levels among participants saw a significant decline. Economically, the initiative proved to be cost-effective, with each green prescription costing around £500, which is considerably less than traditional treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.
With the project launched in 2020, the seven pilot green prescribing projects received an initial investment of £5.7 million from the government. Medical professionals, including general practitioners, mental health teams, and social workers, referred individuals experiencing mental health issues to this new practice.
Doctors and other experts studying the project noted the high demand for these services, particularly given the strain on mental health services in the country and that these projects need to receive additional funding to broaden their reach.
Participants reported significant personal benefits from the schemes with people saying they feel more joyful and calm, as well as experiencing an increased sense of achievement and well-being after participating. Some participants even went as far as saying it's more effective than other mental health services.
Assessments conducted before and after participation showed that average happiness scores rose from 5.3 to 7.5 out of 10, and feelings of life being worthwhile increased from 4.7 to 6.8. Anxiety levels decreased from 4.8 to 3.4.
Experts revealed that there are lifelong benefits of connecting with nature for mental and physical health either on a personal, social or cultural scale.
The seven pilot locations included areas such as Humberside, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Manchester, Surrey, and the west country. These sites successfully engaged a diverse demographic, reaching 21% from ethnic minority backgrounds and 57% from economically deprived regions, surpassing the reach of earlier social prescribing schemes.
While the evidence supports the effectiveness of green social prescribing, ongoing investment and policy support are crucial for its continued success and expansion.
Funding for the project was provided by HM Treasury's Shared Outcomes Fund, various central government departments, and external agencies, including the Department of Health and Social Care, Natural England, NHS England, Sport England, and others, showcasing broad governmental and institutional support.
In summary, England's green social prescribing initiative has proven to be a highly effective and economical approach to improving mental health through nature-based activities. The project's success underscores the importance of integrating natural environments into mental health strategies and calls for continued investment and policy support to expand its reach and benefits.
