A Feasibility Study of Nature-based Health Interventions for People With Mild to Moderate Anxiety, Depression and Stress

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Background and aimThe increased burden on mental health both globally and nationally is a serious challenge that requires attention and action from healthcare professionals, politicians, and decision-makers. According to the report "The National Health Profile 2021" from the Danish Health Authority, the number of adult Danes (over 16 years) with a low mental health score has increased by seven percentage points from 2010-2021 and now stands at 17.4%. A significant proportion of these individuals suffer from anxiety, depression, and/or stress. This increase in people with reduced mental health has consequences both for the individual's quality of life and for society as a whole. Thus, more than 13% of the Danish population is prescribed medication for the treatment of mental illnesses, and only 28% of them are able to work while experiencing their illness.There is a growing recognition that the challenges associated with mental health cannot be solved solely through clinical treatment or medication. In order to offer citizens and patients the best possible support, it is important to look for sustainable solutions to promote mental health and ensure access to effective treatment options. Despite a significant increase in the number of published research studies on the positive impact of nature on mental health, there has not previously been developed a theoretical foundation and a comprehensive evidence base for nature-based health interventions in a Danish context, and there has been a lack of a structured and systematically developed understanding of the mechanisms of change in nature-based health interventions (NBHIs), so they can be implemented in a way that aligns with the best available knowledge in the field.In phase 1 of the project, a systematic review of the literature has been conducted. Hereby followed an extensive co-creation process, including the development of a logic model and an underlying program theory, and established collaboration with three relevant implementation partners.In phase 2 of the project, the aim was to test the feasibility of three locally adapted NBHIs in a feasibility study with up to 120 participants (40 participants per partner) at three different partners. MethodsThe locally adapted NBHIs will be tested at the Psychiatric Center Glostrup and at the Kolding and Silkeborg municipal health centers from March to November 2025. The intervention will be carried out as an interdisciplinary initiative facilitated by two healthcare professionals employed at the respective partners, who already have experience in delivering NBHIs to the target group.The NBHIs are organized according to the following structure:• Duration of the program: Minimum 10 weeks, once a week, 1.5-2.5 hours per session• Group composition: Across conditions: mild to moderate anxiety, depression, and/or stress• Group size: 8-12 participants in a closed groupIn the locally adapted programs, activities in nature are based on three main mechanisms of change (nature interaction and sensory experiences, social communities, and physical activity and movement), identified in phase 1 of the project. The healthcare professionals responsible for the programs will tailor the activities individually. All activities are designed based on a generic logic model, developed through a co-creation process.Safety plays a central role in the nature-based health interventions. All activities are planned with a focus on the participants' physical and mental well-being. Potential risks are assessed and minimized through the selection of suitable natural environments, appropriate equipment, and thorough instruction. The healthcare professionals ensure a safe environment where participants can feel comfortable, both physically and psychologically. Additionally, accessibility and any individual needs are considered, so all participants can safely engage in the activities. With this study, the results of a new treatment or examination will not be conduced (and none of the participants will receive a worse treatment offer than what currently exists). It is about investigating the feasibility of locally adapted NBHIs at three different partners who already have nature-based programs.Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected. These will include questionnaire data, data from registration of participation by the partner, participant observation, focus group interviews with participants from the NBHIs, as well as focus group interviews with the healthcare professionals who are carrying out the NBHIs. As part of the qualitative research, experiences with and perceptions of the process, including the feasibility of the NBHI and how the participants respond to the intervention will be examended. Written consent will be obtained from the participants and healthcare professionals prior to this.

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