Today we have written to Professor Fonagy, lead for the Government’s recently announced review of mental health, autism and ADHD services.
This is why.
Adopting a greener lens on mental health: Why the 2025 review must include nature
On 4 December 2025, the UK Government launched an independent review into rising demand for mental-health, autism and ADHD services. Demand has surged for years, stretching clinical teams and leaving individuals waiting too long for assessment and support.
This review is an important moment — and it should adopt a greener lens on mental health.
Why nature matters for mental health and neurodevelopment
A large body of UK and international evidence shows that environments rich in natural features support better mental and physical health. Exposure to green and blue space is associated with lower risk and severity of depression and anxiety, reduced stress, and improved cognitive and emotional functioning. Studies also suggest that greener environments may be linked to lower risk of developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood.
For children and adolescents, regular contact with nature has been associated with fewer behavioural difficulties, including symptoms linked to ADHD such as inattention and hyperactivity.
More recently, researchers have highlighted the importance of nature connectedness — our felt relationship with the natural world. Higher nature connectedness is consistently linked to improved wellbeing, resilience and sense of purpose, and to stronger pro-environmental behaviour.
Nature connectedness underpins our work here at The Natural Coaching Company, and our sister consultancy The Human Nature Partnership.
Nature-based interventions work — and they are cost-effective
The Government’s green social prescribing (GSP) pilots demonstrated that nature-based support for mental health works. They found real-world improvements: reduced loneliness, fewer GP appointments, better mental-health outcomes and positive return on investment. Other studies show benefits from nature-based activities including walking groups, horticulture, ecotherapy and nature-based coaching, including for people with ADHD, autism and severe mental illness.
A broader set of benefits
Access to nature supports health equity: greener neighbourhoods often report better wellbeing and lower service demand. Increasing nature connectedness also appears to promote behaviours that support climate and nature goals — benefits that extend beyond individual health.
Recommendations for the review
To meet the scale of the challenge, the review should:
- Draw on the Government’s own evidence base, including Natural England and the GSP evaluation.
- Link residential greenness with health, education and service-use data.
- Include early-life exposure windows, recognising that neurodevelopment is environmentally sensitive.
- Commission trials of nature-based interventions, including nature based coaching and ecotherapy, particularly for underserved communities.
- Prioritise equitable access to green and blue spaces, and enhancements to greenspace in urban areas.
- Incorporate measures of nature connectedness, not only objective greenness.
A greener future for mental health
Green and blue spaces are not an optional extra. The evidence shows they may be integral to mental health, neurodevelopmental resilience and long-term service demand.
The 2025 review offers a rare opportunity to recognise the role of our environments in shaping mental health — and to build a healthier, fairer, greener future.