Today we mark World Mental Health Day. This is an important annual event organised by The World Health Organisation (WHO) and this year’s theme is “Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority”.

WHO have been working for many decades to try to ensure mental health is treated on a par with physical health.

After all, mental health issues can affect every one of us: the message from WHO is that we must do as much as possible to prevent mental ill-health – both as individuals and as a society as a whole.

This can include urging our local and national governments to prioritise reducing those factors known to risk mental health and boost those known to protect it by creating the conditions needed for people to thrive.

As a company, Greenbelt put mental health and wellbeing at the heart of our work: that’s why our green environments focus on creating those very conditions for mental health to flourish.

Many studies have shown having access to local green spaces, especially wooded areas and wildflower meadows, can help alleviate mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

In fact, Greenbelt’s Services Manager (UK), Donald Ferguson, has presented a dissertation exploring the link between the environment and health to the Landscape and Wellbeing International Conference in Lisbon.

His study found our surroundings can have a significant impact on performance when exercising – with open spaces like parks and mountains seeming to impart greater levels of concentration and motivation, compared to urban settings or indoor gyms.

“The idea our wellbeing is linked to the quality of our green spaces seems instinctive to many of us,” says Donald. “The study of the connections between environment and health dates back to ancient cities in Greece, China and Persia.

“In a time when Western societies are facing growing mental health problems and stress-related illnesses, it’s important to recognise the connection between landscape and our health – mental or physical.”

With this in mind, Greenbelt actively encourages the formation of Residents’ Associations in developments, as well as community groups – working together in this way, residents can help share the message that green spaces offer a safe and fun place to forge life-affirming friendships that can last a lifetime.

As well as enhancing our community engagement, helping to boost mental health was also an important consideration in supporting the recent Northstowe Running Festival. This fun event for all sees donations and funds raised going to the Richmond Fellowship. This is a mental health charity for young people based in Cambridge.

If you’d like to know more about World Mental Health Day and how you can be involved not only today but in the long term, please visit the Mental Health Foundation website.