Ecotherapy for Adolescents Experiencing Mental Health Challenges: Qualitative Exploration of Perspectives of Adolescents and Parents

Different forms of eco-therapeutic interventions have positively<br/>impacted the physical, psychological and social wellbeing status of<br/>service users across a range of age groups. However, there has been<br/>little evidence exploring the experience and perceived impact of an<br/>ecotherapy program for adolescents in the UK. This study explored<br/>perceptions of adolescents and their parents of an ecotherapy program targeting improved mental health and wellbeing. This study<br/>involved semi-structured interviews with adolescents and their parents. Interviews took place shortly after the program ended (adolescents and parents) and six weeks after (adolescents only). Interviews<br/>from the two groups were initially analyzed separately before being<br/>triangulated. Eight adolescents and seven parents were interviewed in<br/>total. Three themes were generated: building connections, learning<br/>and exposure, and comparing and constructing with prior services<br/>accessed. Perceived improvements across adolescents included<br/>reduced negative emotions and anxiety, and greater self-esteem, confidence, and social skills. For the latter theme, there were reported<br/>distinctive experiences of attending this ecotherapy program compared with professional mental health support services. Exploring<br/>nature brought adolescents together with benefits of engaging in<br/>support services that varied from the norm. Future research should<br/>examine the feasibility of using ecotherapy as an alternative treatment<br/>to traditional therapy in supporting mental health, and evaluate the<br/>economic viability of such a program for non-clinical support<br/>provision.