Developing nature-based programmes for school mental health and wellbeing

Having a stronger connection to, and engaging with, nature can support our mental health and well-being. However, during adolescence, there is a notable decline in young people's self-reported connection to nature. This also coincides during a period where there is an increased risk of both the onset and experience of mental health difficulties. Adolescence may therefore represent a critical window of opportunity to help boost and maintain young people's connection to nature, which in turn may help to bolster mental health and well-being. 

The first part of this project aims to examine the extent to which nature connection is linked to mental health (anxiety and depression) and well-being in a large sample of young people (aged 11-18 years) and to identify associated mechanistic factors (e.g., gender, ethnicity, nature engagement, environmental sensitivity) that may influence this. Associations will be examined at baseline and longitudinally (6-12 months follow-up) via online surveys. Developing a deeper understanding of self-reported nature connection and mental health, and the factors underlying this, will help to inform the development of tailored nature-based programmes for young people. 

Correspondingly, the second part of this project involves co-designing and developing a brief, nature-based programme with a small group of young people via co-production workshops. The workshops will incorporate initial findings from the aforementioned study, alongside considering evidence from existing research and young people's own lived experiences to co-develop a nature-based programme to support mental health and well-being.