To commemorate this year’s “World Mental Health Day”, Taunton Deane MP raised the subject in Parliament during this week’s “Five Year Forward View for Mental Health” debate.

A known advocate of all things green, Rebecca asked, “The charity Mind recently produced a report called “Feel better outside, feel better inside”, which advocated the benefits of eco-therapy—using activities such as gardening, farming and exercise. The National Garden Scheme has also produced a publication on this. Is the treatment being utilised within the NHS? “.

Jackie Doyle-Price MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, responded, “I thank my hon. Friend for her work in this area. Yes, I can give her that assurance. It is welcome that local authorities and clinical commissioning groups are considering innovative approaches concentrating on wellbeing, as well as acute services, and eco-therapy is part of that agenda.”