RESEARCH

The Interplay of Environmental Exposures and Mental Health: Setting an Agenda

Experiencing either natural or human-caused disasters (oil spills, floods, wildfires) or exposure to environmental contaminants (unsafe drinking water, pesticides) can result in mental health consequences such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This paper highlights green spaces as a solution and recommends creating public policies to protect mental health during disaster response.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Allied Profession Intersections: Social Work, Climate Psychology/Psychotherapy

Type of Activity: Forest/Natural Area Immersion

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

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes

Research Source: Academic Journals

Access: Free

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Summary

This paper explores the increasing recognition of the physical environment’s impact on mental health, a historically under-researched area. It presents a nonsystematic conceptual review of environment and mental health, as discussed at a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) workshop. The authors call for interdisciplinary collaboration to deepen understanding of environmental contributions to mental health, develop primary prevention strategies, and address inequities in mental health outcomes.

Highlighted research shows that both human-caused and natural disasters (oil spills, floods, wildfires) often result in widespread mental health consequences, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Additionally, climate-related anxiety, driven by the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters, contributes to psychological distress. To combat these effects, the paper discusses the potential of green space exposure to reduce depression and enhance overall well-being. Innovations in technology and measurement metrics will allow for a more scientifically rigorous exploration of these proposed benefits. The authors call on policymakers to develop and test interventions that minimize exposure to environmental contaminants and maximize access to beneficial ecological conditions. They also emphasize integrating mental health assessments and treatment infrastructure into disaster response efforts, including long-term support for affected communities.