Ecotherapy Interventions for Mental Health
Research on ecotherapy interventions for mental health was carried out with support from a KE Small Award grant in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing.
The evidence base for ecotherapy as a mental health intervention has grown rapidly in the last 10 years and research has focussed on the benefits and impact of such initiatives on mental health and wellbeing.
The aims of this project were to explore facilitators and barriers to engagement in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) and to increase knowledge of the processes involved in engaging people in ecotherapy interventions. In particular, it sought to assess to what extent an interest in or knowledge of gardening and nature related activities is a facilitating factor to engaging in STH.
In order to understand this and other factors that may encourage or impede participation in ecotherapy interventions, the views of volunteers and mental health professionals connected to a social and therapeutic horticultural project in the region were sought through a series of focus groups.
The project found that:
- An interest in gardening/nature is not a pre-requisite to engagement in ecotherapy related activities.
- Social networks are identified as the single most important factor to sustained engagement.
- The flexibility of participation is significant for volunteers experiencing mental distress.
- A variety of activities is an important contributing factor in sustaining people’s interests and motivations to participate in these programmes.
The emerging themes are closely associated with a recovery model of mental health and offer useful information for mental health services wishing to develop or promote ecotherapy initiatives in their area. For researchers interested in developing the evidence base on ecotherapy, there are a number of directions to follow. For instance, there is a limited evidence base for controlled studies comparing, for example, time limited projects with medium or longer term projects and whether time is a factor in achieving successful (longer term) mental wellbeing. Studies that link ecotherapy activity more directly to ecosystem services and the implications for sustainable living, wellbeing and biodiversity is also an under-researched area currently.
The research was conducted by Holly Harris (PI), School of Public Health, Midwifery and Social Work and community partners, the Abbey Physic Community Garden, Faversham. Professor Paul Camic, Research Director at Solomons Centre provided advisory support. The project ran from July 2014 to July 2015.