International students often face high levels of stress, leading to mental health conditions, from factors including cultural and social change, educational system, financial insecurity and family responsibilities. Barriers in seeking support for mental health include stigmatisation and high costs. Single psychotherapy sessions are often unaffordable and pharmaceuticals are often associated with adverse side effects having limited efficacy. Hence, alternative approaches and therapies are needed to manage students' wellbeing. Forest Therapy offers a low-risk lifestyle activity, which is beneficial to physical and mental health through nature exposure and increased social connection. Thus, this research project aims to investigate to which degree guided Forest Therapy sessions may help to prevent or alleviate stress among international students in Victoria. Free Forest Therapy sessions will be offered to international students at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne which is centrally located and can easily be reached by foot, car, bike or Public transport. The sessions will be offered at different dates/times during August, September and October 2024. Next to participating in the guided Forest Therapy sessions, brief surveys will be administered before and after each session which are optional.
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Profile of Mood States (POMS)
Timeframe: 120 min (duration of standardized Forest Therapy session)