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Staff from Cornwall’s child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have taken part in a NatureWell away day at Newquay’s Community Orchard. They were there to learn how people’s health and wellbeing can be improved in natural settings. As well as how best to implement this into their clinical practice.

The CAMHS Goes Wild event was hosted by the Natural Academy. They have developed the NatureWell approach from over 14 years of working with people’s health and wellbeing in nature. The programme aims to help people be supported in nature to not only recover, but flourish with their mental health. It also gives teams the tools on how to embed nature-based interventions into their care.

Beth Chapman is a Consultant Psychiatrist and co-lead of the project. Beth works alongside Gemma Morshead, Advance Clinical Practitioner Trainee.

“In November 2021 we organised CAMHS Goes Wild staff wellbeing away. We went to a lovely farm and spent some immersive time in nature to reconnect with ourselves and our colleagues. After, we received such positive feedback from staff and how great it made them feel. They then all asked if we could do more nature away days with a focus on how we can use our time in nature within our clinical practice.

“I fed this back to our managers, and we received support to continue. As well as funding from the Mental Health Research Initiative to create a project for CAMHS Goes Wild. The event today is an introduction to that project. All CAMHS staff have been invited, and the turnout is amazing. Today they will have an introduction on how to incorporate nature into their care. 16 more staff will later go onto do higher NatureWell facilitator training. We hope that we can spread this knowledge and our learning across CAMHS. The project has the potential to benefit both our staff and young people who use our service. We will be evaluating the impact on staff initially. Hopefully days like today will give clinicians the confidence to think about using the outdoors in their clinical practice; it’s exciting.” Beth Chapman

Studies show that being in nature has benefits for our whole health, not just physically, but immersing in nature can provide unique therapy and grounding. This is particularly helpful before a clinical encounter.

“It feels wrong in many ways to not be using nature in our clinical practice and making the most of the outdoors right on our doorstep, especially in Cornwall. Young people have a right to spend time outdoors. A connection to nature is fundamental to theirs and everybody’s health and wellbeing.” Beth

Young people who have already benefited from NatureWell’s programme in 2 other NHS trusts. They fed back that they “found mindful walking like freedom” and that they “felt normal” after spending time outdoors. They also report that their anxiety has lessened. As well as being able to practice mindfulness away from the lights and alarms of a clinical hospital room. CAMHS Goes Wild will be engaging with young people in CAMHS and their families to gain their views.

“Today is all about finding small ways to bring nature into our young people’s lives along with highly skilled mental health training. It is hoped that the time spent outdoors will help young people in their recovery and eventual discharge.

“Nature connectness in health and wellbeing will help young people to self-manage some of their symptoms and regulate emotions. We want to be able to continue this work once they are discharged in their own gardens, community orchards and farms to help in the future in times of distress.” Catriona Mellor NatureWell event facilitator