Research from Monash University suggests that having more greenery around can help reduce hospital admissions for mental disorders. This large-scale study, covering data from seven countries over nearly two decades, found that local greenery is linked to a 7% decrease in such admissions overall. The reductions were even more significant for specific conditions: 9% for substance use disorders, 7% for psychotic disorders, and 6% for dementia.
Interestingly, the positive effects of green spaces weren’t uniform across countries. In places like Brazil and Thailand, the benefits were clear, while in Australia and Canada, researchers noted some counterintuitive increases in mental health admissions associated with greenery. This highlights the complexity of how natural spaces affect mental health.
Professor Yuming Guo, who co-led the study, emphasized that these findings could guide urban planning and health policies to enhance mental health. Mental health issues are a major global challenge, with approximately 1.1 billion people reportedly affected in 2021, accounting for 14% of the worldwide disease burden.
The study is unique as it analyzed records of 11.4 million hospital admissions related to mental health from various locations, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, and South Korea, over 19 years. Researchers measured greenery using a reliable satellite-derived metric called the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and took into account factors like population density, air quality, and seasonal variations.
In urban areas, the data suggested that greater greenery could potentially prevent around 7,700 annual admissions for mental disorders. This effect varied by region, with a 10% increase in greenness linked to reduced admissions ranging from 1 to about 1,000 per 100,000 people, depending on the country.
While the study reveals compelling correlations, it doesn’t establish direct cause-and-effect relationships. It primarily focuses on severe disorders that require hospital care, so it doesn’t capture the full scope of mental health challenges.
The researchers highlighted that enhancing green spaces could yield broader benefits. These might include lower healthcare costs, less stress on health systems, and even boosting productivity in workplaces.
Looking ahead, Prof. Guo suggested that further research could explore the effects of different types of green spaces—like parks versus forests—on mental wellbeing, as well as their accessibility and quality. This could pave the way for targeted interventions to foster better mental health through greening initiatives.
If you’re interested in the broader implications of this research, consider the community response. On social media, many users advocate for more greenspaces in cities, sharing pictures and personal stories about how nature has positively influenced their mental health.
For more in-depth information, you can check the original study published in BMJ. Understanding the relationship between our environment and mental health can lead to healthier communities and improve overall wellbeing.
