Mental health isn’t just about clinical care — it’s about the environments where children live, learn and play. Evidence shows that nature connection can enhance children’s mental health and emotional resilience, making nature more than just a “nice to have.” For Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we pulled together a suite of resources highlighting the importance of nature access for the mental health and well-being of children. Whether it’s a leafy schoolyard or a local park, the research shows that nature acts as a natural buffer against stress, supporting children’s mental health and resilience.

Nature for children’s mental health and well-being

The Benefits of Nature: Nature makes kids happier. This toolkit gathers evidence-based talking points and resources about the science behind nature’s benefits for children. One section, “Nature makes kids happier,” zeroes in on the mental and emotional benefits of living in greener environments and engaging with nature.

 “Nature as Healer: Children’s mental health in nature.” This Finding Nature News story explores how the Children & Nature Network champions nature as a tool for supporting children’s mental health. 

Research Digests. The following Research Digests employ different frameworks for understanding nature and children’s mental health. Each Digest gathers and summarizes recent scientific studies related to the topic at hand. 

Infographic: 4 ways to practice self-care in nature. Nature is a wonderful resource for self-care, and this graphic one-pager details four ways you can integrate nature into your self-care routine. Research shows that mindfully connecting with nature produces a variety of health benefits. It promotes physical, mental and social well-being, reduces stress and increases resiliency.

Nature helps children recover from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Time in nature can be a powerful antidote to the negative impacts of trauma and stress in children’s lives. Learn more in this toolkit, which contains evidence-based resources that were developed in partnership with Casey Family Programs, a national leader in social work practice.

“Ecological grief and hope in a changing world.” Dr. Donald A. Rakow is a professor of horticulture whose research and leadership focuses on the impact of time in nature on human health and behavior, with an emphasis on college students and young adults. In this Finding Nature News guest column, Dr. Rakow explores what research tells us about how nature connection and collective action can help children and youth move from ecological grief to constructive hope.

“The things they lost; the things nature can return.” This Finding Nature News guest column by Kids in the Woods Initiative founder Mark Yearwood offers a thoughtful take on the ways that nature can help children heal from the pandemic’s effects.

Infographic: Green schoolyards can provide mental health benefits. This infographic details how green schoolyards can enhance mental health and well-being and promote social-emotional skill development.

“Giving patients the power to self-prescribe nature.” This Finding Nature News story profiles Dr. Robert Zarr, who founded what would become Park Rx America (PRA), an organization leading the movement for nature prescriptions. Dr. Zarr is a pediatrician by training and a certified nature therapy guide, and he brings his unique expertise to the conversation about the importance of nature connection for children and families — as well as the health care providers who write the scripts.

“Prescribe Outside: Progress moves at the speed of trust in Philadelphia.” In another Finding Nature News story about nature prescriptions, we see the power of collaboration, with an arboretum, children’s hospital, Sierra Club chapter, local nonprofit, university research center and the USDA Forest Service partnering to champion nature prescriptions as a solution to growing mental health needs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Check Out More News and Resources
Finding Nature News
Children & Nature Network