Nature and our mental health
During long months of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature. Going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health.
Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world. For most of human history, we lived as part of nature. It is only in the last five generations that so many of us have lived and worked in a context that is largely separated from nature.
Teenagers in particular appear to be less connected with nature and around 13% of UK households have no access to a garden. We want to challenge the disparities in who is and who isn’t able to experience nature. Nature is not a luxury. It is a resource that must be available for everyone to enjoy - as basic as having access to clean water or a safe roof over our heads.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/why-nature
Mental Health Week 2020-1
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