Landcare ACT has launched an innovative program for Canberrans to reconnect with nature and their own mental health.
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The Wellbeing for Nature program officially launched at a rain-affected event in Ainslie on Wednesday.
Landcare ACT is working with Wellways, a mental health and disability support organisation, to offer a series of programs designed for participants to engage with nature therapeutically through guided walks, mindfulness and horticulture.
The program is supported through government funding to support Canberrans' mental health across a diverse ranges of ages and backgrounds.
"Through a Healthy Canberra grant of almost $225,000, Landcare ACT will deliver an innovative program to improve mental health," the ACT's Health Minster Rachel Stephen-Smith said at the launch.
Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti said Canberrans valued having a connection to nature "we know that our natural environment sustains all life".
The launch was held at Ainslie Scout Hall due to the wet weather, but as the sky cleared program co-ordinator Sally Holliday led a guided meditation that will be an ongoing feature of the program.
"It was very much about attuning to our environment with open eyes, for example looking at how many different shades of green there are, noticing the sky with the passage of clouds coming after the rain, how the earth smelt after wet weather," Ms Holliday said.
"Fundamentally, it's important to tap into an age-old narrative of connecting with the land and simply stopping to listen to nature instead of focusing on new stories of daily life. That's what we're trying to teach people.
"This is one of the first programs in Canberra that connects walking with nature and mindfulness, the fitness is only an added bonus for what we've created."
Community volunteers have played a significant role in developing the program, with Landcare volunteer Rajvir Kaur saying it's more than just caring for the environment, but also about improving the wellbeing of Canberrans.
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"Being involved with Landcare is the first time I felt I belonged in Australia. When I arrived in this country, I was a total stranger and didn't know anyone which is a common experience for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds," Ms Kaur said.
"Participating significantly improved my mental health through the interactions with other members of the community." Dr Karissa Preuss is the CEO of Landcare ACT and said the wellbeing program has been through more than 12 months of development to become the next stage of supporting more Canberrans like Ms Kaur.
"Programs like this definitely play a part in supporting Canberrans to improve their health and wellbeing which I think everyone needs after bushfires, drought and hailstorms," Dr Preuss said.
"We can safely say that mental health is not at an all-time high at the moment, so working to encourage more people to get out there and connect with nature through this initiative and Landcare's other programs is fantastic."
"We were delighted to have two ACT ministers here, it's been wonderful to see them speak so strongly about the connection people have with the environment."
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