Hi Jerry,

yes, I am a huge believer in ecotherapy.  For all the reasons you mention.

I believe that  nature  definately has natural energetic healing properties and energetic vibrations and that being in cities is very difficult for people, not being connected to this healing energy......... I often hug trees to reduce stress and absorb the healing energy.

I am always so interested in cross cultural studies....which countries have the most reported depression?  Which have the least?  Are there any that do not report having depression? 

I would be very interested in reading what you know on this...you are in England?  how does Europe compare to the US in terms of depression? 

thank you for reminding me to go to nature! My body naturally tells me to do this, extremely strongly, but sometimes the effort to go through the traffic, while living in the city is a deterrant for me....I have no choice though, my body and mind and spirit need nature.  I remember a quote (sort of) from Henry David Thorough.....

something like....' I need to be in nature three hours, if not more,  a day for my soul, wandering without any ties to civilization'  (tired to look it up, very beautiful though)  I think it is from his book, 'Walking', a beautiful book.

Now, I also believe in the vibrations of animal noises, water, having healing properties...crickets, birds, streams, all those sounds found in nature.  I have an inward pull toward any water or animal noises when I am exhausted to replenish and heal.

I wonder, do folks have private practices in ecotherapy?  I would very much like to bring folks to heal in nature, sit near a stream and listen to the birds daily for a livelihood!  I know it heals me.

thank you for the article!

Marishka

Jerry Kennard, Health Pro

6/26/12 12:37pm

Hi Marishka, Thanks for such lively comments and questions. Global statistics are available but one thing to keep in mind is the fact that obtaining stats varies from country to country as do diagnostic practices and access to health services. With this in mind you can certainly find material online and here are a couple of links to get you started: http://www.idf.org/webdata/docs/PIIS0168822710000471.pdf http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110725202240.htm I'm not aware of ecotherapists as such but I do know that some family doctors have experimented with exercise by prescription. This tends to focus attention on indoor activities mainly but I do hope there are schemes that actively encourage ecotherapy specifically for issues like depression. In the UK the mental health charity Mind do run schemes for general wellbeing.