By Deanne Jeffers
A Victorian trial has found that prescribing time in nature can significantly improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people, with researchers recording measurable gains in life satisfaction, reduced loneliness and lower psychological distress.
The six-week Nature Scripts program, delivered by the People and Parks Foundation in partnership with headspace Shepparton, was evaluated by University of Melbourne researchers with input from a University of Sydney Business School colleague. Sixty-two young Australians with mild to moderate mental illness took part, either as participants or as part of a comparison group.
Participants completed two hours of group-based nature activities each week, including yoga, nature journaling, photography, tree planting and bushwalks with a Parks Victoria ranger. Researchers tracked progress using the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), as well as measures of loneliness and psychological distress.
University of Melbourne Honorary Associate Professor Janet Stanley said participants recorded a notable improvement.
“The participants’ average wellbeing score increased from 5.7 out of 10 at the start of the program, to 6.4 by its completion,” said Professor Stanley. “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.”
Those who completed the program twice reported even greater, longer-lasting gains.
Professor Dianne Vella-Brodrick said psychological distress and loneliness also fell.
“By the end of the six weeks, participants also reported lower levels of psychological distress and loneliness,” she said. “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 a 50 per cent increase in their household income.
Researchers estimated that the wellbeing improvements experienced by each participant after completing the program were equivalent in value to approximately $19,875, if the benefits were sustained over six months.
Running three Nature Scripts programs costs about $50,000 plus minor participant expenses.
Associate Professor Stanley said the return on investment is clear.
“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.”
With almost one-third of young Australians experiencing high psychological distress and nearly a quarter reporting persistent loneliness, Professor Vella-Brodrick said the findings highlight an important opportunity.
“These statistics are concerning, and we have shown Nature Scripts is a cost-effective alternative or supplementary treatment option to modern medicine.”
