Now we know we’re preaching to the converted when we talk about the overall health beneifits of being in nature but this new study offers scientific proof.
A recent Victorian study has shown that group based nature prescriptions, in which health professionals recommend structured outdoor activities, can offer significant benefits and strong value for money.
The findings are especially important given the mental health challenges faced by many young Australians. One in five experiences conditions such as anxiety, depression or substance misuse, and traditional therapies can be costly with long waiting lists.
Time in nature, however, is affordable, widely accessible and supported by long established evidence that natural environments promote wellbeing.
Researchers partnered with the People and Parks Foundation and headspace Shepparton to assess a program known as Nature Scripts. The study involved young people with mild to moderate mental illness who were grouped into teams of five to seven.
Instead of conventional counselling, they spent two hours each week for six weeks taking part in guided activities designed to build awareness and knowledge of the natural world. These activities included nature journaling, yoga, tree planting, bushwalking with a ranger, identifying local species with Landcare and learning nature photography.
The evaluation covered 62 participants including a control group. Wellbeing was measured using the Personal Wellbeing Index, which assesses satisfaction across seven areas of life.
At the beginning, the average score was 5.7 out of ten, well below typical Australian levels. After six weeks, scores rose by around 0.7 points, with even greater gains for those who repeated the program. Participants also reported reduced distress, less loneliness and stronger feelings of community connection. Interviews confirmed that the social experience of being outdoors together played a central role.
Cost analysis revealed that three programs would require about $50k to run, with additional participant costs. By valuing wellbeing improvements in terms of their income equivalent, the researchers estimated benefits of roughly $240k, giving a benefit to cost ratio of about four to one!