OPINION: We are only just beginning to see the impact of Covid-19 on mental health – but nature can help right now
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AS we all tentatively move towards an easing of the lockdown many of us have an eye on the future, on how we might Build Back Better, building on what we have learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic so far, writes Dr Nick Barnes.
Working as a psychiatrist in child and adolescent services, I am repeatedly reminded of people’s experiences of loss and of the costs of social distancing, noting how we are only just beginning to see the impact on people’s health – especially on children and young people’s mental health.
Add to this the ever-growing concerns about the climate and ecological crisis and we all can appreciate these are frightening and uncertain times.
"The need for a daily lockdown walk has helped many take notice of the world around them, in ways they may not have considered before. We have become attentive to bird call, or noticed flowers bloom, when previously we may have rushed by, keeping up with our busy lives."
The experience of the lockdown has taught us much about the importance of Green Spaces and how this affects our mental health and wellbeing.
The need for a daily lockdown walk has helped many take notice of the world around them, in ways they may not have considered before. We have become attentive to bird call, or noticed flowers bloom, when previously we may have rushed by, keeping up with our busy lives. Some may have even been lucky enough to enjoys walks in among trees and be immersed in the calm of woods or a forest.
And this all fits alongside the overwhelming evidence about the importance of Connecting with Nature and how this helps us feel better and function well.
But climate change threatens this, and therefore needs to be acknowledged as a threat to our mental health.
We have all come to recognise the impact of pollution on our breathing, and how this can therefore be a risk to our physical health, but we are now becoming much clearer that the climate crisis is also having a profound effect on our mental health.
Whether we are talking about the loss of natural environments, forced displacement because of the impact of flooding or forest fires, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the dangers that climate change brings, we are all at risk of worsening mental health as a direct result of climate change.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression are the most commonly observed psychological reactions in children following severe natural disasters, with between 30-90 per cent of young people demonstrating severe PTSD reactions.
Hence, when we are thinking about what we have learnt from Covid-19 we have the chance to re-evaluate what is important in our lives.
With a focus on recovery, we also need to explore how to build back greener – to work together to tackle the demands of the climate emergency and ensure everyone can connect with nature.
With world leaders attending COP26 in Scotland this autumn we have the chance to offer a sense of hope for our children – a hope that we can offer our children a sustainable future – after all we don’t inherit the world from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
Further ideas on mental wellbeing and connecting with nature can be explored at www.thinkhealththinknature.scot/greenhealthweek.
- Dr Nick Barnes is a specialist doctor in child and adolescent psychiatry and founder of the ecoCAMHS working group at the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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