Green spaces and mental health across the life course: Evidence from European research initiatives

Abstract Background Access to green spaces has been increasingly recognized as a key determinant of mental health across the life course. Major European research projects, including Equal-Life and PHENOTYPE, have provided critical insights into these relationships. Methods Equal-Life examines early-life exposures and their cumulative effects on child and adolescent mental health, identifying green space access as a significant protective factor against emotional and behavioral problems. Using both objective measures (e.g., satellite-derived vegetation indices) and subjective perceptions, the project highlights the importance of sustained exposure to high-quality green environments. Results The PHENOTYPE project further elucidated mechanisms by which green spaces benefit mental health, such as stress reduction, promotion of physical activity, enhancement of social cohesion, and mitigation of pollution exposure. Other initiatives, such as BlueHealth, Green Cities for Good Mental Health, and SALVE, as well as systematic reviews, reinforce the evidence linking urban natural environments to improved mental well-being, reduced depression, and lower anxiety levels. Conclusions Collectively, these studies emphasize the need to integrate green space planning into urban and public health policies. They also underline the relevance of life-course and exposome approaches in assessing environmental impacts on mental health, providing strong foundations for interventions that promote healthier, more resilient urban populations.