Mental Health & Nature in Practice: Q&A

This free training session explores the relationship between mental health, nature, and wellbeing, and supports practice nurses in considering holistic approaches to patient care in primary care.

In this recorded Lunchtime Health News Q&A session, Registered Mental Health Nurse and Psychotherapist Claire Baker joins George Clark, Programme Manager at Severn Rivers Trust, and Health Academy Clinical Trainer Alys Bunce to discuss how green and blue spaces can support mental wellbeing. The session looks at how clinical, community, and environmental perspectives intersect, and what this may mean for everyday practice.

This session is designed for practice nurses and other primary care clinicians interested in mental health, wellbeing, social prescribing, and holistic patient support.

Topics covered include:

• Current mental health pressures seen in primary care, including anxiety, stress, burnout, and low mood
• Why mental wellbeing often requires support beyond medication or therapy alone
• How social prescribing and community-based approaches can support patient wellbeing
• How green and blue spaces can support physical and mental health
• Why the relationship between nature and human health matters
• Practical ways to help patients build small, sustainable wellbeing habits

About our experts:

Claire Baker is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience across NHS, private, and third sector settings. She has a strong interest in how environment, identity, and lived experience shape mental wellbeing, and supports more sustainable approaches to wellbeing beyond the therapy room.

George Clark is a Programme Manager at Severn Rivers Trust, an environmental charity working across England and Wales along the length of the UK’s longest river. George leads projects focused on river recovery, community engagement, education, and connecting people with their local rivers.

About our host:

Alys Bunce is a Clinical Trainer and experienced educator specialising in clear, practical, and accessible clinical education for healthcare professionals.

Originally recorded live as a Health Academy Lunchtime Health News Session – Monday 18th May 2026.

Useful links and further reading:

• NHS England – Green Social Prescribing
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/green-social-prescribing/
• National Academy for Social Prescribing – Green Social Prescribing Toolkit
  https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/what-is-social-prescribing/green-social-prescribing/green-toolkit/
• GOV.UK – Exploring perceptions of green social prescribing among clinicians and the public
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-social-prescribing-perceptions-among-clinicians-and-the-public/exploring-perceptions-of-green-social-prescribing-among-clinicians-and-the-public
• Mind – Nature and mental health
  https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/
• Severn Rivers Trust
  https://www.severnriverstrust.com/
• The Rivers Trust
  https://theriverstrust.org/

Browse all Lunchtime Sessions — past and upcoming: https://healthacademyonline.co.uk/lunchtime-sessions/

Subscribe for more free clinical education and updates from Health Academy: @healthacademyuk

#MentalHealth #PrimaryCare #PracticeNurses #NatureAndWellbeing #GreenSocialPrescribing #SocialPrescribing #LunchtimeLearning #HealthAcademyUK #NurseEducation #ClinicalTraining #Wellbeing #CPD