Doctors in Halton can now help patients with mental health challenges by prescribing free visits to Conservation Halton parks. The program, announced on Monday (Dec. 2) at Kelso Conservation Area, allows patients to receive up to 10 free park visits with a prescription from their doctor.
Doctors from Milton District, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial, Georgetown Hospitals, and local clinics can issue these prescriptions as part of a mental health care plan.
Dr. Subani Selvarajah from Halton Healthcare highlighted the growing mental health challenges in the community, especially after the isolation caused by COVID-19. "Anxiety and depression have skyrocketed," she said, adding that this program is a simple, accessible, and free way for patients to benefit from nature.
The initiative, called PaRx, was created by the BC Parks Foundation in 2020 and is Canada's first program to formally prescribe nature as therapy. Halton Healthcare is the first hospital system in the country to adopt it.
Research shows being in nature has many mental health benefits. For example, the American Psychological Association found that green spaces improve focus and reduce stress.
This program builds on existing lifestyle counseling practices but makes it easier for patients to access nature. Patients receive a code from their doctor to use on Conservation Halton’s website, giving them access to the parks.
Milton MP Adam van Koeverden praised the program, saying, “People will be healthier in Halton because of this great idea.”
Chandra Sharma, CEO of Conservation Halton, added, “This partnership opens up our green spaces in a new and meaningful way for the community.”
For more details, healthcare providers can visit the BC Parks Foundation website to join the program and offer nature prescriptions to their patients.
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