Presentation at Child Mental Health Forum

Wednesday, January 8, 2020 – 10:00am to 11:15am

Does nature causally contribute to improved mental health and well-being? Center co-director Laura Kubzansky and affiliate Dr. Peter James spoke at the 2020 Child Mental Health Forum at Judge Baker Children’s Center to an audience of physicians (psychiatrists, pediatricians, child neurologists), psychologists, social workers, other mental health clinicians and researchers, including students and trainees. Their talk, entitled, Does Nature Make Children Happy? The Role of Nature in Child Mental Health and Well-Being, evaluated the strength of the epidemiological literature linking nature exposure with children’s mental health and psychological well-being. Examining the potential mechanisms through which nature can affect these outcomes, Drs. Kubzansky and James discussed the strengths and limitations of the literature, as well as future directions for the field. For more information about the event, visit the Judge Baker Children’s Center website.