Rural school students from the Scottish Highlands recently visited Trees for Life’s Dundreggan rewilding estate near Loch Ness to take part in a groundbreaking nature-based research program aimed at improving young people’s mental health and well-being.
In collaboration with researchers from the University of South Wales (USW), the students explored the benefits of spending time in nature and how it can help them cope with common issues such as exam stress, bullying, and climate anxiety. The project also addresses the challenges faced by young people in remote and rural communities, including isolation.
Known as “Healthy Young Minds,” the program involves researchers from USW, the University of the Highlands and Islands, and Dundee University. It focuses on high school students aged 11-14 and involves co-producing activities to support their mental well-being.
As part of the program, students from Farr and Kinlochleven High Schools visited Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre this spring. During their visit, they participated in a guided rewilding walk, pond dipping, and learned about tree identification, bannock bread making, and traditional fire lighting.
Under the guidance of Ewen’s Room, a mental health charity in the Highlands, the students brainstormed outdoor activities that could boost their mental well-being. These included camping, outdoor cafes, fire-building, family activities, hill walking, wild swimming, beachcombing, sports, board games, and natural crafts.
The students then received feedback from their peers and experts in green health and mental health before finalizing their ideas and voting for their favorite activities. The aim of the project is to promote well-being through engagement with nature and local green spaces, especially during the early teenage years when mental health challenges often arise.
Franny Schlicke, Trees for Life’s Visitor Experience and Operations Supervisor at Dundreggan, expressed her delight in seeing the students engage with nature and participate in the various activities. She emphasized the importance of protecting and restoring nature and how it can benefit everyone’s health and well-being.
Dr. Sara Bradley, Senior Research Fellow at USW, believes that involving young people in co-creating solutions for their mental health challenges is an effective way to engage them. She also highlighted the importance of being outdoors and accessing nature in addressing mental health difficulties.
Since taking part in the program, the students reported that they now see nature as crucial for their mental health, spend more time outside, and think about others more often. The Healthy Young Minds team is currently preparing two papers for publication in academic journals and seeking additional funding to continue their work. They also plan to work closely with the schools to implement the nature-based activities designed by the students.
The project, developed in partnership with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (NHS Highland), Ewen’s Room, and young people’s charity Kinlochlovin’, is supported by Trees for Life and the Highland Green Health Partnership. It is funded by the Medical Research Council.
Dundreggan, which has been owned by Trees for Life for almost 20 years, is home to over 4,000 plant and animal species, many of which are rare and protected. The Rewilding Centre offers various events and activities, accessible forest trails, a café and events space, a storytelling bothy, an outdoor natural play area, and accommodation with 20 bedrooms and up to 40 beds. The goal of rewilding is to restore nature’s delicate balance and support local communities and livelihoods.
For more information about Dundreggan and its activities, visit visitdundreggan.co.uk.
