RESEARCH

Characteristics of Natural Environment Use by Occupational Therapists Working in Mental Health Care: A Scoping Review

This scoping review found that occupational therapists utilize diverse natural environments and interventions to address various mental health conditions, leading researchers to suggest that these findings can support the growth of nature-based approaches in mental health occupational therapy. The environments used included forests, beaches, gardens, and parks and the activities included gardening and nature-based activities, physical activities, and animal-assisted interventions.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma

Setting or Context: Community Gardens, Public/Botanical Gardens, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health

Access: Paid

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Summary

This report summarizes a research review that aimed to understand how occupational therapists use natural environments like gardens, parks, and forests in mental health care. The review looked at different interventions, mental health conditions treated, and outcomes measured. Researchers searched several databases and websites for relevant publications. They found that occupational therapists use natural environments in various ways, including gardening, nature-based activities, physical activities, and animal-assisted interventions, often in group settings. These interventions are used for a wide range of mental health conditions, and outcomes are assessed through both qualitative and quantitative measures.

The review highlights the many ways natural environments are currently being used in mental health services by occupational therapists. The researchers concluded that this information can help further develop and implement nature-based approaches in mental health occupational therapy.

Link

Bishop, R., Underwood, F., Fraser, F., Burrows, L., & Shawe, J. (2024). Characteristics of natural environment use by occupational therapists working in mental health care: A scoping review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 22(12), 2518–2558

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