A Woodland Walk Works Wonders Children's Mental Health Week Feb 3 – 9
To help promote Children’s Mental Health week, Forestry and Land Scotland is inviting families and young people to visit a forest - and find out that a woodland walk works wonders.
The theme for 2025 - “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself” - aims to give young people the space to boost their self-awareness be comfortable with who they are and build their self-esteem.
Stuart Chalmers, FLS’ National Visitor Services manager, said;
“The frenetic pace of modern living can stress anyone out with the pressures of being ‘always-on’.
“For young people trying to grow up under digital scrutiny the pressures can be overwhelming.
“That’s why we’re inviting everyone to leave the tech, walk away from the bustle and step out into the immersive quiet of a woodland walk.
“It’s like going into a calm and still other world. You can ‘hear’ the silence and hear yourself think, and a forest is a great place to have a conversation - even one in whispers.
“A walk in the woods works wonders!”
Physical activity improves physical health and promotes positive thinking.
Mixed with fresh air, trees to brighten the mood and the peaceful calmness that alleviates stress, anxiety and the pressures of daily life, a woodland walk can make a huge difference to anyone’s state of mind.
One group that regularly enjoys the benefits is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) based at the New Gorbals Health and Care Centre, Glasgow.
Shona Ferguson, CAMHS Team Lead Occupational Therapist, and her colleagues make regular use of Cuningar Loop to offer young people therapeutic activities.
Shona said;
“Working with FLS rangers to tailor an outdoor group using a therapeutic play based structure has been transformational for many young people and families within CAMHS.
“Bringing nature into everyday life benefits both mental and physical wellbeing. The outdoor setting led to increased enjoyment, participation, and improvement in sleep, self-esteem and motivation, across all areas of life.
“It supported young people and their parents / carers to identify the calming impact of a woodland setting in supporting self-regulation.”
“We are very grateful for this fantastic resource for the young people in our service to access. It provides purposeful, guided activity giving the young people and their family time to learn and reflect on outdoor opportunities. Having knowledgeable and friendly staff from FLS has been invaluable.”
Stuart added;
“You don’t have to live in Glasgow or the bigger cities to take the opportunity to benefit from a walk in the woods – we look after forests all over Scotland.
“Why not take advantage of Children’s Mental Health Week and bring the family or some friends to one of our forests and see yourself in a different light.”
Anyone taking the plunge is invited to go completely old-school, ditch the tech and simply follow the trail signs. The more adventurous might like to use a paper map.
Notes to Editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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- Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot