A Victorian trial has shown that spending time in nature is highly effective in improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
University of Melbourne researchers, with a colleague from University of Sydney Business School, have evaluated a six-week program run by not-for-profit People and Parks Foundation andheadspace Shepparton, in which health practitioners gave patients 'prescriptions' for nature-based activities.
62 young Australians living with a range of mild to moderate mental illness took part in the trial, either as participants or as part of a comparison group.
Participants were split up into small groups and spent two hours a week completing various activities, including yoga, nature journaling, photography, tree planting and bushwalks accompanied by a Parks Victoria ranger.
Researchers monitored the participant's progress over the six-week period using the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), together with measures of loneliness and psychological distress.
The PWI questionnaire measures life satisfaction across seven key areas including standard of living, health, life achievements, personal relationships, perceived safety, community connections and future security.
University of Melbourne Honourary Associate Professor Janet Stanley, said: "The participants' average wellbeing score increased from 5.7 out of 10 at the start of the program, to 6.4 by its completion.
"This was a significant improvement considering the Australian mean score is 7.5 and mean scores for Australians aged 18-34 is 6.3-6.4."
The findings revealed the program's mental health benefits were even greater and longer lasting for participants who completed the program twice, highlighting the importance of sustained group-based engagement with nature.
Professor Dianne Vella-Brodrick from the University of Melbourne said: "By the end of the six weeks, participants also reported lower levels of psychological distress and loneliness. "
"The program's social component led to participants reporting a 10 per cent increase in their sense of community connection post-trial."
Previous research has shown that, in terms of life satisfaction, the economic value of a one-unit increase in a person's wellbeing is roughly equal to a50 per cent increase in their household income.
The research team estimated that the wellbeing improvements experienced by each participant after completing the Nature Scripts program were equivalent in value to approximately $19,875, if the benefits were sustained over six months.
"Running three Nature Scripts programs is estimated to cost around $50,000, plus a small amount for participants' costs" Professor Stanley said.
"For a total of 12 participants, that adds up to approximately $240,000 in overall wellbeing benefits, which is over four times the cost of running the program."
"Previous research shows almost three in 10 young Australians are experiencing high psychological distress and nearly a quarter feel lonely most of the time," Professor Vella-Brodrick said.
"These statistics are concerning and we have shown Nature Scripts is a cost-effective alternative or supplementary treatment option to modern medicine."
