Researchers evaluating a nature-based program of activities for patients with mild-to-moderate mental health conditions have shown that improvements in mood and anxiety levels can be seen in as little as 12 weeks.

As part of the UK government's commitment to transform mental health services, seven "test and learn" green social prescribing sites were identified across England, including the current program in Humber and North Yorkshire -- the first to publish results from the national program.

More than 220 participants  were included, and their mental health status was evaluated before and after exposure to an organized program of nature-based activities, such as horticultural and care farming, sports and exercise, and outdoor mindfulness and craft-based activities.

Participants took part in the program weekly between one and four weeks, five to eight weeks, or nine and 12 weeks. The team used the Office of National Statistics measures of personal well-being, as well as the hospital anxiety and depression scale to understand if participants had made improvements.

Across the board, participants reported improvements in well-being and mental health. But participants who took part in longer programs -- typically nine to 12 weeks -- or took part in activities related to horticulture and care farming, showed greater improvements in mood and anxiety levels compared with those involved in shorter programs or in activities such as outdoor crafts, creative and mindfulness-based sessions, or sports and exercise.

The signs of improvement were similar to those seen in short-term cognitive behavioral therapy, where someone might meet one-to-one with a therapist over a period ranging from six weeks to a year or more, according to the study authors. These positive impacts were seen in all ages from 18 to 85 years, and across genders.

"The fact that activities such as gardening, tending allotments, and care farming had the most impact on the participants in our study demonstrated that it is not just about being passive in nature, but connecting with it in a meaningful way,” commented Peter Coventry, from the University of York's Department of Health Sciences.

To download the study, published in Health & Social Care in the Community, click here