Improving children and young people’s mental health through nature-based innovation
Mental health problems are more pronounced for children and young people facing health inequity. We are evaluating the therapeutic potential of nature and connection to support children and young people experiencing inequity.
Children’s mental health needs in the South West are higher than in any other region in England. Disadvantaged children and young people have poorer access to services and health outcomes, and mental health problems are more pronounced for those facing inequity.
Evidence suggests exposure to green spaces and connection to nature positively impacts on the wellbeing of children [1].
As part of our Health Equity Innovation Challenge 2022, we have been providing real-world evaluation support to three innovations harnessing the therapeutic potential of nature for children and young people facing inequity, as well as the value of in-person connection.
- Resilient Young Minds is a peer community nature-based programme that focuses on empowering young people to develop a sense of agency for a healthy life. We supported Resilient Young Minds to deliver the programme to 12 young people between 18-25 who have experienced different types of inequity in their lives.
- The Apricot Centre is a social enterprise weaving together regenerative farming with therapeutic and wellbeing support for children and families in Dartington, Devon. Together we explored how to support children aged 7-13 who are either in care or living in circumstances which make them at risk of being taken into care. The project has tested the impact on wellbeing and anxiety of food activities and nature-based activities around the senses with 18 children.
- The Wave Project is a charity delivering NHS-recognised surf therapy courses to children and young people experiencing mental health issues, social deprivation or social isolation. Their project has tested water-based interventions with 25 young people in Devon, focusing on children and young people who experience healthcare inequalities identified by Core20PLUS5.
[1] Exploring the beliefs and perceptions of spending time in nature among U.S. youth | BMC Public Health | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
Resilient Young Minds
- 9 out of 12 participants reported an increase in mental wellbeing.
- 5 out of 12 participants reported a reduction in anxiety.
- All 12 participants agreed that the programme had a positive impact on their lives.
The Apricot Centre
- The results indicate high level of emotional and behavioural difficulties in this group of children in care or on the edge of care.
- Scoring indicated a need for further investigation for anxiety among five of the eleven children.
- Half of the 12 children and young people had a lower Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) score at follow-up than at baseline. This reduction in anxiety was found to be statistically significant, although it is not known if it will be sustained over time.
- Qualitative feedback indicates that children, parents/carers and teachers found the intervention valuable. Key value themes identified included facilitating building relationships, fun and enjoyment, building resilience around anxiety, cultivating new opportunities and interests, upskilling parents and teachers, therapeutic value of being in nature.
The Wave Project
- The young people who completed the course reported change across seven wellbeing areas, including self-esteem, resilience and confidence.
- Average scores in these seven areas of wellbeing all increased after the interventions. There did not, however, appear to be any change in anxiety levels.
- The ‘Plus’ population group that had the highest number of children participating was learning disability or autism (n=11). All seven areas of wellbeing improved for this group of children and young people.
In addition to these early findings, there has also been learning gained about the challenges and enablers to developing interventions to address equity gaps in children and young people’s mental health care.
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"The benefits of working with Health Innovation South West have been unexpected and many. I have enjoyed a level of rigour in the process alongside feeling engaged by our project manager with an attitude which has felt supportive and non-judgmental. This period of research has enabled me and our team to reflect upon what works and doesn't work therapeutically for young people in a nature-based setting. It is leading to a period of valuable reflection on how we can best support under-reached young people around anxiety, and this will likely lead to valuable new directions in the Apricot offer."
Mark O'Connell - Service Manager, The Apricot Centre
