Mental health benefits of visiting UK’s woodlands estimated at £185 million

A landmark report published by Forest Research found that visits to the the UK’s woodlands boosts mental health and is estimated to save £185 million in treatment costs annually. The report funded by the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry and the Welsh Government is the first time the health and wellbeing benefits of the UK’s woodlands have been calculated.

In England alone woodlands were estimated to save £141 million costs annually associated with mental health illnesses including drug prescriptions, GP visits and social services. The report also found that mental health benefits of woodlands over the next 100 years is estimated to be more than £11 billion and the value of street trees another £1 billion.