Nature-based training leads to new mental health initiatives
A new initiative introducing people with mental health problems to nature-based activities has just completed its first pilot.
The Nature for Health group at Trevillis House in Liskeard uses nature to promote health and wellbeing.
Patients who were already known to the service were invited to take part in the pilot, which took place over 6 weekly sessions.
Gardening and creative activities take place in the gardens of Trevillis House. Pot painting and frame making using natural materials were just some of the activities patients took part in.
Julia Mason is a community psychiatry nurse in dementia and older people's mental health for the Trust. She says:
"We have been inviting patients to attend the group. It introduces them back into the idea of nature being really important for healthcare.
The aim of the group is that when people start, they learn to do a meditation. The expectation is that we hope that they will continue to do that every day and then continue it when the group's finished. They make a commitment to integrate nature into their life."
Nicky Snape is an occupational therapist. She has been working alongside Julia and Molly Martin (healthcare assistant) in delivering the group sessions.
Nicky says:
"The feedback we have had has been really positive. A lot of our clients have depression and anxiety. They are spending more time out in nature.
"Some of them live in care homes. They have been making their environment in the care home more nature-based, which helps with anxiety and relaxation.
"Our last session was painting pots, so thinking about what paint to use and what patten, they are not ruminating and thinking about their problems."
The Nature for Health group is one of many initiatives starting up following a recent nature-based training programme.
The training introduced mental health clinicians to nature-based approaches. The training enabled staff to feel confident and competent enough to start to integrate nature-based approaches in their clinical work.
It is hoped that this approach within mental health service delivery will improve outcomes for patients and benefit staff.
The nature-based training was provided by Dr Beth Chapman (consultant psychiatrist) and Dr Annabel Callan (resident doctor).
This approach also links in with the Trust's clinical strategy. This is an ambitious plan to drive tangible change in the way we think about, design and deliver clinical services to better meet the needs of local people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
One of the key objectives is to deliver half of the clinical care we provide outdoors, or in non-traditional spaces.
Dr Chapman says:
"Increasing our connection to and contact with nature is good for our health and wellbeing. Harnessing this within our clinical interactions may improve outcomes for patients and also staff. We are hoping that by rolling out this training, more clinicians will feel able to work in a nature-based way."
Following the success of the first pilot, a second, 8-week programme began at the end of September.