A £5.77 million government-funded project has shown that expanding access to Green Social Prescribing can improve mental health and promote well-being. Researchers from the University of Exeter, in partnership with the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, and the University of Plymouth, published a report for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) detailing their findings on the effectiveness of Green Social Prescribing in tackling and preventing mental ill health. Green Social Prescribing involves supporting people with mental health needs by engaging them in nature-based activities. Referrals can come from GPs, community mental health teams, or social workers, but self-referral is also possible. Social Prescribing Link Workers and other professionals connect people to community groups and agencies for support.
Natural activities may include conservation, gardening, conservation agriculture, outdoor sports, or medicine. This study found that green social prescribing is an effective and efficient way to support mental health. With an average cost of £507 per participant, it is considered cost-effective compared to other interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and early intervention for depression. The report emphasizes that for the social green transition to be successful, more government investment is needed to support leadership and systems change. Eight thousand three hundred and thirty-nine people took part in environmental activities at seven pilot sites in England. The program included a diversity of participants, including 21% from ethnic minorities and 57% from socioeconomic backgrounds. Before taking part, participants reported levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and anxiety. After participation, these jobs are at or above the national average. Participants had better experiences, with some saying that green folk medicine worked better for them than medicine and traditional treatments. Marion Steiner, the general practitioner involved in the project, emphasized the importance of green social prescription to overcome obstacles that do not fit the environment and reduce health costs. The study’s lead researcher, Dr Annette Heywood, said the findings reinforce evidence that physical activity can be effective in supporting mental health. The project was funded by HM Treasury’s Joint Results Fund and supported by a number of government departments and agencies, including NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.