Wetlands for Wellbeing: Piloting a Nature-Based Health Intervention for the Management of Anxiety and Depression

Phoebe R. Maund, Katherine N. Irvine, Jonathan Reeves, Emily Strong, Ruth Cromie, Martin Dallimer and Zoe G. Davies
Additional contact information
Phoebe R. Maund: The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT, UK
Katherine N. Irvine: Social, Economic and Geographic Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
Jonathan Reeves: The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT, UK
Emily Strong: The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT, UK
Ruth Cromie: The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT, UK
Martin Dallimer: Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 2JT, UK
Zoe G. Davies: Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 8NR, UK

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Nature-based health interventions (NBIs) for the treatment of poor mental health are becoming increasingly common, yet evidence to support their effectiveness is lacking. We conduct a pilot study of a six-week intervention, aiming to engage individuals with wetland nature for the treatment of anxiety and/or depression. We employed a mixed methods design, using questionnaires, focus groups and semi-structured interviews to evaluate the intervention from the perspective of participants (n = 16) and healthcare professionals (n = 2). Results demonstrate significant improvements in mental health across a range of indicators, including mental wellbeing (Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7), stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and emotional wellbeing (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Participants and healthcare professionals cited additional outcomes including improved physical health and reduced social isolation. The wetland site provided a sense of escape from participants’ everyday environments, facilitating relaxation and reductions in stress. Wetland staff knowledge of the natural world, transportation and group organisation also played a considerable role in the intervention’s success. These aspects should be considered in future and existing NBIs to maximise benefits to participants. We propose NBIs based in wetlands are an effective therapy option for individuals diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression.

Keywords: attention restoration theory; biodiversity; blue space; ecosystem services; green space; mental health; mixed methods; nature-based therapy; social prescribing; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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