Bringing nature into CAMHS inpatient services: reflections for the implementation and integration of training into practice

• Published in: International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 546 - 552
• Main Authors: Hunt, David Francis, Morgan, Mia, Connors, Michéal, Mellor, Catriona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 04.07.2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: CAMHS; COVID-19; ecopsychology; Health needs; implementation; Inpatient care; Integrated care; Mental health; Mental health services; nature; Operational factors; Therapeutic alliances
• ISSN: 0954-0261; 1369-1627
• DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2080530

Poor mental health is a global concern and is exacerbated by recent challenges concerning COVID-19 and the climate emergency, with significant consequences to individuals and to society. Increasing evidence demonstrates that nature-based approaches (NBAs) have numerous benefits to mental health services and the people they support with mental health needs. Despite these benefits, understanding how to integrate these approaches into practice is challenging. In this paper, we report our findings from a recent qualitative study with staff from a CAMHS inpatient unit who had recently undergone NatureWell Facilitator training. This is a particular approach to working with people in nature developed by The Natural Academy. Participants identified the importance of implementation of discreet, novel NBAs, as well as integrating nature into current practice, the benefits when fostering psychologically safe and therapeutic relationships with staff, and the clinical and operational factors when carrying out NBAs in these settings.