Bridging the evidence gap: A review and research protocol for outdoor mental health therapies for young Australians

作者：Emily J. Flies, Anita Pryor, Claire Henderson‐Wilson, Megan Turner, Jessica Roydhouse, Rebecca Patrick, Melissa O’Shea, Kimberley Norris, Àngela Martín, Pauline Marsh, Larissa Bartlett, Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi, Amanda L. Neil · 发表于：Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1007/s42322-023-00143-3 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Outdoor and Experiential Education、Urban Green Space and Health、Health, psychology, and well-being

Abstract Internationally, over 60% of all lifetime cases of mental health disorders are identified as emerging by 25 years of age. In Australia, young people (aged 16–24 years) report the highest prevalence of mental health problems. Acceptability of mainstream services for young people is a concern, particularly for clients 18–25 years, heterosexual males and certain marginalised communities. With unaddressed distress in young people a precursor to poor, potentially lifelong mental ill-health trajectories, the provision of acceptable, and accessible mental health services remains a critical system imperative. Outdoor therapies, such as outdoor talking therapies, present an option for increasing the breadth of mental health interventions available to young people. Reported benefits of outdoor therapies include improved self-esteem and confidence, positive and negative affect, stress reduction and restoration, social benefits, and resilience. As outdoor therapies draw on multidisciplinary skillsets, this modality has the potential to expand services beyond existing workforce capacities. However, there are evidence gaps that must be addressed before mainstreaming of this treatment modality can occur. Here we overview the existing evidence base for outdoor talking therapies, as a form of outdoor mental healthcare, to determine their appropriateness as an effective and efficient treatment modality for young people with psychological distress in Australia and elsewhere. We then pr...