Study results published: Nature-based interventions promote mental health

What contribution can nature-based interventions make to the inpatient treatment of depression? Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Kals, PD Dr. Markus Müller and Dr. Patricia Zieris investigated this question from 2019 to 2023 as part of the scientific monitoring and evaluation of the ‘Green Care - Nature & Mental Health’ project. The project was carried out by the administrative offices of the UNESCO Biosphere Region Berchtesgadener Land and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, Bavarian part and funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care and the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection.

The results show that depressed patients benefited from a mindfulness- and relaxation-based nature intervention by increasing positive affect and reducing negative affect. The programme is feasible and effective, even for patients with a higher symptom burden.

The results have now been published in the renowned Journal of Environmental Psychology and can be viewed here (open access): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102493

Back to overview