Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, is encouraging the Irish public to get outside for ‘Take a Walk in the Park Day’, on the 30th of March. The charity said that there are many links between being around nature and improved mental health.
“Research shows that spending time in nature can help alleviate mental health problems including anxiety and depression,” Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me said, “It can also help with grief and stress. Research into ‘ecotherapy’ has found that it helps with mild to moderate depression. Presumably if someone is doing physical activity around woodlands, mountains or in the sea, the endorphins also help. There is a social element to going for walks, whether it’s stopping for a chat with people you meet along the way, or people who might join you for your walk, and that social engagement will also help your mental health. Humans are a social species, we are tribal in nature, and we need that interaction. On ‘Take a Walk in the Park Day’, we would encourage everyone to be nurtured by nature and get outside to improve your mood!”
A 2021 article called ‘Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence’ found ‘evidence for associations between exposure to nature and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity and sleep. Evidence from experimental studies suggested protective effects of exposure to natural environments on mental health outcomes and cognitive function’.
Turn2Me said that being around nature, particularly when the sun is shining, can help those who experience SAD (seasonal affective disorder).
Turn2Me is encouraging anyone who is experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship issues, to avail of its free mental health services on Turn2Me.ie. Turn2Me offers up to six free counselling sessions to adults in Ireland and unlimited support groups on anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship issues, to anyone in Ireland over the age of 12. All these services are available on Turn2Me.ie
Turn2me was founded in 2009 stemming from the very personal experiences of Oisin and Diarmuid Scollard, who lost their brother, Cormac, to suicide in 2003. In 2013, turn2me gained the support of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention to deliver counselling online. In 2019, turn2me joined forces with ReachOut Ireland to create a space for young people to find information to support their mental health online. As of September 2021, turn2me offers adult counselling and peer support services to adults and young people aged 12 plus. It also offers group support services for teenagers, young people and adults. Turn2Me had helped over 120,000 people since it was set up in 2009.