As the warming climate hits areas with less green space especially hard, Australians for Mental Health is calling on state and local governments to sharpen their focus on urban greening infrastructure, to combat heat waves and improve wellbeing.
Hot weather is forecast for large parts of the country over the coming days. Places which have less green spaces and tree canopy than other areas, such as Western Sydney, are getting even hotter, partly due to the urban heat island effect.
This comes as new data from Australians for Mental Health (AfMH) suggests there is overwhelming majority support for greening communities, with the organisation’s Mental Health Compass research finding 71 per cent of Australians agreed taking care of the environment and making sure people had access to green space was important. Only 5 per cent disagreed with the statement.
‘Physical health is not the only thing at risk during heatwaves,’ said AfMH CEO Chris Gambian.
‘Heat waves are dangerous for human health overall, especially for vulnerable people. But doctors report that hot weather also impacts mood and can exacerbate mental health conditions.
‘Improving people’s homes, especially for renters and people on low incomes, is a critical step. But an overlooked part of the solution is to dramatically increase the tree canopy and green spaces in our hottest areas.’
Research findings
‘Research cited on the NSW government’s planning website states that if we reach a greening target of at least 30 per cent in a community, psychological distress could be lowered by 31 per cent, loneliness could be reduced by 24 per cent and dementia by 16 per cent,’ said Mr Gambian.
‘Greening is not just good for reducing heat impacts, it’s excellent for mental health.’
Australians for Mental Health is urging widespread action to improve the nation’s mental health, ranging from investing in communities and connection, to dismantling work culture that is damaging to wellbeing, to recognising nature as being central to human wellbeing.
‘It’s not an abstract idea that nature is good for us. There is overwhelming evidence that having access to green space is good for us. It lowers stress levels, improves our long term resilience and bolsters connection,’ said Chris Gambian.
‘We can’t treat our way out of Australia’s mental health crisis. Psychologists and doctors will always be a part of the solution, but we need to look at community level approaches which can help,’ he said.
‘Making spaces greener is one way to do that.’
