Objectives: The objectives of this presentation are to: 1) review the neuroscience of how greenspace impacts neural development;2) summarize epidemiological evidence studying the impacts of greenspace on mental health, mental health disorders, and behavioral development in adults and children (with special attention on how greenspace has impacted mental health during a global pandemic);and 3) explore greenspace clinical interventions on pediatric mental health and approaches to “nature therapeutics.” Methods: This section will start by reviewing the basic research of how greenspace affects physiological neural development. It will then discuss epidemiologic findings showing the protective nature of greenspace in children, as well as the racial and socioeconomic inequity in greenspace accessibility. Additionally, this section will explore research, conducted by myself and others, on the unique role of greenspace during the COVID-19 pandemic on maintaining mental wellness. We will conclude by briefly discussing the use of “nature therapy” to help address certain pediatric mental health disorders. Results: At the end of this presentation, the audience should be able to recall how greenspace and natural landscapes impact mental health in pediatric populations, as well as generally describe the inequity in greenspace access and the unique role that greenspace has played during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to mental health. Lastly, they should be able to appraise the merits of “nature therapy” as a potential treatment for certain mental health disorders and the importance of mental health professionals actively working to preserve greenspace in the face of climate change. Conclusions: The impact of greenspace on pediatric mental health is an evolving field that should be of significant interest to AACAP members. Participants of this talk will walk away with a better understanding of how nature and greenspace impact neurological processing and childhood development, as well as implications for therapeutics. This topic addresses how green spaces and natural environments can shape pediatric mental well-being and, therefore, complements the other talks in this series discussing how climate change and environmental preservation are fundamentally important concepts for psychiatrists to integrate into their practice. ADOL, EPI, STRESS
Greenspace and Mental Health: Implications for Pediatric Populations Facing Climate Change