By Aaron Cordy
HEADSPACE Shepparton officially launched NatureScripts. A research program conducted in Shepparton in partnership with the University of Melbourne and Sydney found that prescribing time in nature can significantly improve the mental health and well-being of young people.
NatureScripts relies on the central concept of nature dosing (a multi-sensory mix of contact with nature) to promote mental well-being and social relationships in young people. Utilising a combination of group and 1-on-1 interactions, the programme explores themes such as creativity, movement and conscious consumption.
The idea behind NatureScripts was born in the People and Parks Foundation, when remembering that humans are an essential part of nature, and the disconnection from mankind’s natural state plays a part in the mental health battle people face.
This lead Alison Hill of People and Parks Foundation to reach out to Robin Hucker of headspace, Shepparton. The pair, connecting with Lauren ‘Loz’ Barker and Tone ‘Tones’ Jossup, were able to engage with Professor Janet Stanley, University of Melbourne and Professor John Stanley, Sydney University, to conduct the research.
“It has been such a great opportunity to partner with Headspace Shepparton for our NatureScripts research pilot. Now we have the evidence that NatureScripts is clinically and cost-effective, we hope more young people in Shepparton and Australia-wide will be able to access these proven mental health benefits,” said Alison.
The research found that a program involving curated group-based nature exposure, run by professionals, can improve life satisfaction, well-being, reduce loneliness and reduce psychological distress. The well-being benefits involved were estimated to be worth around four times the costs of the program. The findings, in combination, showed that the program has improved social sustainability and done so in an economically sustainable way.
The success of NatureScripts has helped launch the new Nature Neighbours program. For more information, contact headspace Shepparton on (03) 5823 8800 and follow them on Facebook.
