Engaging with and Shaping Nature: A Nature-Based Intervention for Those with Mental Health and Behavioural Problems at the Westonbirt Arboretum in England.

Liz O’Brien

doi:10.3390/ijerph15102214

Abstract

Mental health problems have become one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. This study used qualitative mixed methods including in-situ ‘being and doing’ activities with participants, interviews, and participant observations to explore participant’s experiences of a multi-visit nature-based intervention at Westonbirt Arboretum in England. The research found that three engagement types: (1) social, (2) woodland craft, and (3) creative and sensory, provided a meaningful programme to engage those with mental health, addiction, autism and behavioural problems. These types of engagement conferred a wide range of well-being benefits on participants. The study highlights key elements of the programme that were effective including the importance of repeat visits to nature to enable familiarity, using creative, sensory and craft activities, creating a supportive environment, involving the volunteers, and understanding the needs of participants and the organisations that work with them. The research suggests that nature-based programmes can be designed to be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of participants with mental health and behavioural problems. Small numbers of participants can be involved in an intensive and immersive way that encourages an emotional affinity with nature. Inclusive and supportive programmes are particularly important for those who are vulnerable, as they are less likely to engage with nature than the wider population.

Highlights

Mental health problems have become one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide [1], with the main problems in the United Kingdom (UK) being depression followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder [2]
This paper focuses on the multi-visits part of the Community Project to explore whether repeated trips to Westonbirt Arboretum could provide a deeper engagement with nature and an opportunity to engage and shape nature, and how this could have had an impact on participants’ sense of well-being
Longer term engagement with nature is important [47,48], it can be especially significant for those who are excluded and who have diverse mental health conditions [49], as these are people who are less likely to engage with nature in the UK and gain the benefits outlined in much of the recent research [5,6]

Summary

Introduction

Mental health problems have become one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide [1], with the main problems in the United Kingdom (UK) being depression followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder [2]. Poor mental health has become an increasing source of disability in the UK with one in six people over the age of 16 having a mental health problem [2]. People with prolonged and severe mental illness are at risk of dying on average 15–20 years earlier than other people, two thirds from avoidable physical illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, often caused by smoking [3]. The poor and disadvantaged are disproportionately affected by common mental health problems [4]. The Mental Health Taskforce suggests the cost of mental health issues to the UK is £105 billion a year in health care costs, lost productivity, and benefit payments [3]. Research suggests people can benefit in terms of increased attention and reduced sadness and fatigue [8,9], Int. J. Public Health 2018, 15, 2214; doi:10.3390/ijerph15102214 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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