Nature’s Prescription: Outdoor Activities Offer Powerful Mental Health Benefits, Advocates Say
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A growing movement is harnessing the restorative power of nature to combat the rising global mental health crisis, offering a low-cost, accessible solution with proven results.
Mental illness represents one of the most significant societal challenges of our time, incurring an estimated SEK 345 billion in direct and indirect costs. Despite mounting evidence demonstrating the positive impact of outdoor life on mental well-being, its potential as a therapeutic intervention remains largely untapped.Now,organizations like the Outdoor Promotion are working to change that,especially as the world observes World Mental Health day.
The Accessible Power of the Outdoors
“Outdoor life is one of our most accessible resources to feel better, both mentally and physically,” stated a senior official with the Outdoor Promotion. “It costs almost nothing, is close to everyone and requires no prior knowledge.” This accessibility is a key component of the strategy, as research consistently shows that spending time in nature yields positive effects on mental health, regardless of an individual’s starting point.
The benefits aren’t limited to strenuous activity.For many, opportunities for nature-based interventions are readily available in their immediate surroundings, and the level of engagement can be tailored to individual capabilities. Despite this, the utilization of outdoor activities as a formal treatment modality remains surprisingly limited.
breaking Isolation and Building Community
To expand access to these benefits, the outdoor Promotion champions a specific method – “hang with us out” – designed to enhance mental health. Currently, nearly 40 professional initiatives across the country, spanning municipalities, regional authorities, and private practices (including social services, primary care, specialized support services, youth psychiatric care, and adult psychiatry), are implementing this approach.
The impact of this method is powerfully illustrated by the experiance of Per Denstad from Sjöbo. “That was the difference between life and death,” Denstad shared. “It gave me a desire for life, meaning and a place where I had to be myself. Without ‘hang with us out’ I would not have been here.” Denstad now works with the Outdoor Promotion, training others in the methodology.
The “hang with us out” method operates through a collaborative network involving state agencies, local governments, private organizations, and the Outdoor Promotion, alongside other non-profit associations. A key outcome observed by practitioners is the reduction of social isolation.
“We see how people who previously felt isolated find community, energy and self-esteem,” explained a spokesperson for the institution. “It is not about performance, but about simple steps into nature – to go for a walk, cook over an open fire or paddle a short tour.”
From Local Project to National Movement
The “hang with us out” initiative originated as a pilot project in skåne,a region in southern Sweden,in collaboration with local social psychiatric services and the Outdoor Promotion.Thanks to the support of the General Heritage Fund, the program has now expanded nationwide, demonstrating the growing recognition of the importance of nature-based therapies.
