Go green for National Psychology Week
28 October 2024
Peter Mac's psychology team is urging everyone to connect with nature during National Psychology Week
From green spaces to forests to ocean views, nature’s influence on mental health is backed by growing evidence.
This year’s National Psychology Week theme is “psychology and the environment” and we’re exploring the critical role that nature plays in fostering emotional resilience and mental wellness.
In our fast-paced world, reconnecting with nature is a simple yet effective step towards emotional wellbeing and improved mental health - and it only takes a few minutes to reap the benefits.
Parks, gardens and even indoor plants can promote a multitude of positive benefits, delivering calmness, joy, and creativity.
“Nature’s benefits aren’t limited to just being in the countryside,” Peter Mac’s Head of Clinical Psychology Claire Groves (right in the above picture) explains.
“Activating the senses such as listening to birdsong, smelling the scent of a flower as you walk past, or planting seeds in the garden or a pot are all simple and effective ways to connect with nature.
"Nature therapy experiences activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping people feel more grounded, and better able to cope with life’s challenges."
So take some time this week to turn off your device and engage with the natural world around you - perhaps head out to one of Peter Mac's roof gardens if you're in for an appointment.
You can also check out Parks Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing guide, for more inspiration, including forest bathing locations and mindfulness walks.
Try a guided nature meditation at Peter Mac this week (open to all staff, patients, carers and patient families/friends).
Wednesday, October 30 - a guided nature meditation by Psychologist Marlee Crozier in the Wellbeing Centre garden on level 1 at 1pm (20 minutes).
Introducing the Peter Mac psychology team
Peter Mac has 16 full-time psychology positions with the team working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and contributing to psychosocial oncology education and research across the nation.
They work with patients, young people (via the AYA service), and also provide work in the carer and staff support spaces, providing evidence-based treatments to assist with many different mental health concerns such as a sleeping difficulties, fear and anxiety, depression, body image concerns, trauma symptoms and grief and loss.
Over the last 18 months the team has expanded early career psychology staffing from funding via the Royal Commission into Mental Health.