Whether it's a quiet moment in nature or the energy of a group class, parks and recreation connects people to the things that help them feel their best: movement, nature, community and joy. These experiences, both big and small, promote healing, hope and peace of mind. That’s why it’s essential to equip park and recreation professionals with the tools and resources to prioritize well-being — within their teams and across the communities they serve.

• Time spent in nature positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance and well-being and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer's.
• Individuals reported less mental distress and greater life satisfaction when they were living in greener areas.
• Physician-diagnosed depression was 33 percent higher in the residential areas with the fewest green spaces, compared to the neighborhoods with the most.
• People who had access to neighborhood parks during the COVID-19 pandemic were much less likely to report symptoms of depression or to screen positive for anxiety than those without.
• 92 percent of U.S. adults experience a positive mental health boost after spending time at their local parks.
• Parks build a culture of connection across communities. Parks attract community members, create opportunities for social and intergenerational interactions, and help develop social and cultural ties.
• Access to parks is correlated with greater physical activity, which improves mental health and mood and lowers healthcare costs.
• 93 percent of U.S. adults say that activities offered by park and recreation agencies are beneficial to their mental health. The top activities include socializing with family and friends, spending time in nature and green space, and exercising.

• Join us Wednesday, May 7, at 2 p.m. EDT for Resilient Parks, Resilient People: Prioritizing Mental Health in Parks and Recreation. This live webinar will address the unique mental health challenges facing park and recreation professionals and offer strategies to recognize burnout and build resilience.
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• Tag NRPA in your social media posts using the hashtag #MentalHealthInParks.
• Download NRPA's Mental Health Awareness Month Marketing and Communications Toolkit to help your agency highlight the vital role parks and recreation plays in supporting mental health and overall health and well-being.
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• Use facts from reliable sources like Mental Health America or the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Both organizations offer Mental Health Awareness Month toolkits and promotional resources.
• Provide training to staff, partners and community members.
  • Encourage staff and community members to obtain a certification in Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Offer a course at your facility!
  • Use NRPA’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Language Guide to assess written and verbal communications across your agency, helping staff and community members to use non-stigmatizing language.
• Assess your facilities to better promote mental health. Explore strategies to limit noise and sensory overload, integrate plants, greenery, and soft light into indoor spaces, use warm and soothing colors on signage and graphics, create spaces for intergenerational connections, and maintain an organized and clean environment.
• Focus on staff well-being. Assess how you are supporting the mental health and well-being of your staff and identify actions you can take in alignment with the Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Well-Being and make a commitment to the Mental Health Excellence in the Workplace initiative.
• Encourage your community to get moving! Physical activity of any kind is great for mental health. Use NRPA’s toolkit and promotional materials to promote Family Health and Fitness Day on Saturday, June 14.