Who: RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences, alongside EU collaborators. What: Forest4Youth introduces forest-based real and virtual reality therapies. When: Ongoing, funded until 2029. Where: Ireland and five other EU countries. Why & How: With youth mental health in crisis—17.5% struggle with disorders—the project leverages forests’ restorative effects on anxiety, depression, and stress. Nature therapy offers cost-effective, accessible mental health support through immersive forest experiences, training programs for professionals, and pilot therapeutic forests. Outcomes aim to integrate natural spaces into mainstream mental health practices, transforming adolescent well-being.
References:
- https://afsp.org/story/research-roundup-april-2025
- https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-week/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/
- https://www.plansponsor.com/the-workplace-mental-health-crisis-of-2025/
- https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/stress-awareness-month-2025/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326115
- https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/news-and-views/2025/rethink-mental-illness-calls-for-tariff-on-wellness-products-to-fund-mental-health-research/?whatsnew
- https://www.matesinmind.org/training-and-resources/stress-awareness-month-april-2025
- https://au.reachout.com/mental-health-issues/depression/stories-from-young-people-with-depression
- https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2025/04/the-urgent-need-to-reconnect-with-nature
