CAMHS goes wild

Background

There is increasing evidence that being in natural environments has many mental health benefits. However, we are still not sure how best to integrate nature-based approaches into current specialist mental health provision.

Aims

In this study, we aim to evaluate staff views and experiences of a new nature-based way of working with children and young people being treated in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Cornwall.

CAMHS staff will be invited to participate in a Natural Academy training on nature-based working and the research study will document staff views and experiences before and after training.

The overarching aims of the project are:

1. Evaluate the acceptability and desirability of using nature-based approaches in CAMHS

2. Evaluate barriers and enablers to implementation of nature-based approaches in CAMHS

3. Evaluate potential of nature-based approaches to promote positive outcomes for CAMHS staff including improved wellbeing

4. Evaluate potential of nature-based approaches to promote positive outcomes CAMHS service-users

Activity

CAMHS staff will be invited to complete training on nature-based approaches. The training course will be provided by The Natural Academy. Survey and interviews with CAMHS staff will explore how nature-based approaches can be integrated into CAMHS work and their potential to promote positive outcomes for staff and service-users.

Outputs

Our findings will inform further evaluations of the potential of nature-based approaches to improve the experience and outcomes of CAMHS staff and service-users.