Nature and mental health

Explains the mental health benefits of nature and gives tips and ideas to try. Also provides information on formal ecotherapy programmes, and where to find out more.

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About ecotherapy programmes

What is ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy is a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature. There isn't one single definition of ecotherapy, but it's often used to describe a regular, structured activity that:

is led by trained professionals (sometimes therapists), who are there to support you
focuses on doing an activity, rather than on your health
takes place in a green environment
is related to exploring and appreciating the natural world
involves spending time with other people, although you can always choose to interact at your own pace.

You might do an ecotherapy programme on its own, or alongside other treatments such as talking therapies, arts and creative therapies and/or medication.

Ecotherapy: an introduction

This short video introduces the main ideas behind ecotherapy, and explains how using nature and the outdoors can improve mental wellbeing:

Different terms for ecotherapy

People sometimes use different words to describe ecotherapy, depending on whether the activity has an emphasis on exercise, horticulture (gardening) or therapy. Phrases you might hear include:

green exercise
green care
green therapy
horticultural therapy.

These terms are often used to describe a whole range of outdoor activities, but may also refer to a specific type of ecotherapy programme.

Ecotherapy saved my life

"I met other people with similar problems and it soon became a very supportive environment."

Read Debbie's story

What happens in ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy can take place in both rural and urban settings, including parks, gardens, farms and woodlands. It involves varying amounts of physical activity, depending on the type of programme. It can include activities that focus on:

working in nature, such as a conservation project, gardening or farming
experiencing nature, such as enjoying the views on a walk or cycling through woodland.

Some ecotherapy sessions follow a set structure, and incorporate types of talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Others can be more informal, or vary depending on the time of year and what work needs doing. People in the group may or may not have experience of mental health problems, but the main focus is usually working together on the shared activity.

Managing my mental health with ecotherapy

"I certainly didn’t think that nature could help me in my situation, but I tried it."

Read Wayne's story

What types of ecotherapy programme are there?

Ecotherapy programmes can involve a wide range of activities. For example:

Adventure therapy involves doing adventurous physical activities in a group, such as rafting, rock climbing or caving.
Animal assisted interventions involve being in spaces such as farms where you come into contact with animals and spending relaxed time feeding or petting them.
Animal-assisted therapy involves building a therapeutic relationship with animals, such as horses or dogs.
Care farming, or therapeutic farming activities, involves looking after farm animals, growing crops or helping to manage woodland. Find out more from Care Farming UK.
Conservation, sometimes called 'Green Gyms'. Combines physical exercise with protecting and caring for natural spaces. Find out more from The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).

"Being at a supported gardening project has transformed my life and saved the life of my partner who had attempted suicide four times before she regained hope."

Green exercise therapy involves doing exercise in green spaces, for example walking, running or cycling. Find out more from Walking for Health and Let's Walk Cymru.
Nature arts and crafts, or doing art in or with nature. Can include creating art in green space, using the environment as inspiration or using natural materials such as wood, grass or clay.
Social and therapeutic horticulture involves gardening work such as growing food in allotments or community gardens, or inside buildings like village halls or libraries. This could lead to work experience, such as selling food at a market garden, or the opportunity to gain qualifications. Find out more from Carry on Gardening, Groundwork and Thrive.
Wilderness therapy involves spending time in the wild and doing activities together in a group, for example making shelters and hiking. Find out more from The Wilderness Foundation.

"I have depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Doing ecotherapy has allowed me somewhere that is my safe place, a place of my own, where I can be quiet and peaceful. The act of growing and caring for something else helps me to stop thinking about what is going on in my head."

How can I get involved in a programme?

If you'd like to find an ecotherapy programme in your local area, you could:

Explore our useful contacts page.
Contact your local Mind, and ask if they run any ecotherapy programmes you could join. Find your nearest local Mind on our online search page.
Ask your GP. They might be able to refer you to a local programme. This is sometimes called 'social prescribing' or 'green prescribing'. See our page on talking to your GP about your mental health for tips.

Some ecotherapy programmes require a referral – this might need to come from your GP, or they might accept a referral from another professional you see regularly. Costs involved can vary, although some programmes are free.

What if there isn't a programme near me?

If you can't find any ecotherapy programmes in your local area, you could:

Ask your local Mind if they are able to get funding to start one.
Look for nature-based groups or classes, such as walking groups or community gardens. Your local library or community noticeboard might have details.
Look for therapeutic communities in your area and see if they include ecotherapy. For more information, see the list of providers on the Consortium of Therapeutic Communities website.