Mr Peter Destry1, Nicole Snowdon2, Julaine Allan2, Katarzyna Olcon3
1Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Australia, 2Charles Sturt University, 3Wollongong University, ,
Biography:
Pete is an experienced mental health social worker, working within various mental health contexts over the past 15 years, and specifically within the field of mental health rehabilitation for the past seven years. Pete has an interest in exploring complementary interventions for improving mental health and has been researching the effects of nature-based interventions for the past five years. Quite surprisingly, he enjoys spending time and sharing moments in nature.
Abstract:
The purpose of this presentation is to share the evolving action research that the Illawarra Community Mental Health Service (ICMHS) has been involved in, regarding structured nature-based interventions, and their impact on people with significant or severe mental health conditions.
There has been a growing interest in nature-based interventions (NBIs), such as nature walking groups, to prevent and address mental health symptoms in the general population. NBIs have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and, when offered in groups, NBIs decrease isolation and improve social skills. However, the impact of structured NBI’s on individuals with enduring mental illness and their implementation within mental health services is under-researched.
ICMHS is a government-led mental health service supporting people with severe mental illness, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. ICMHS invited consumers to participate in one of two nature walking groups.
Two 12-week groups were facilitated across 2024 and 2025 by a team of mental health clinicians guiding participants (n=10) through various nature reserves within the Illawarra. Clinicians were trained in facilitating nature connection activities. To understand the impacts of the intervention, data were collected through observations of the walks, focus groups, interviews, survey data, and pre-and post-mood scales.
Data collection is ongoing. Early analysis indicates participants found the social connection valuable and the settings of the group restorative. Data is still being collected which will indicate whether the nature connection activities have been valuable and transferable to daily living activities.