Child And Adolescent Mental Health In Relation To The Natural Environment
Child And Adolescent Mental Health In Relation To The Natural Environment

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between nature and the mental health of children and adolescents, with an emphasis on how contact with natural environments can contribute to emotional well-being, cognitive development and overall quality of life. The study focuses mainly on the modern social conditions of urbanization, increased indoor spending and intensive use of screens, which affect the daily lives of children and adolescents. The methodology is based on a literature review of international sources related to the mental health of minors and exposure to nature and green spaces. The analysis is organized around theoretical approaches and empirical findings concerning cognitive function, anxiety, emotional state and behavior of children and adolescents. The results of the review showed that systematic contact with nature is associated with improved attention, working memory and emotional balance, as well as with reduced stress and enhanced mental resilience. At the same time, it emerged that green spaces and outdoor experiences enhance creativity, social interaction and a sense of well-being. In conclusion, the work demonstrates that nature is an important factor in supporting the mental health of children and adolescents. It is proposed that the educational process should approach the natural environment more through outdoor activities, environmental education and experiential forms of learning, so that the school experience functions as a support for the psychosocial development of students.

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