Health and Well Being

Forests contribute to the public health agenda by providing natural restorative spaces. Research studies from many countries, including Australia, Japan, Scotland and Sweden have highlighted the contributions of trees, woodlands and green spaces to people’s overall health and well-being.

These studies also show that benefits are not confined to those of us who are active in nature. We can also gain simply by looking, even by just looking out the window.

 

Because the link between walking outdoors and well-being is so important, Coillte are delighted to be able to join forces with the HSE, Mental Health Ireland, See Change and Get Ireland Walking to promote positive mental health and well-being in the beautiful surroundings of our forests and forest parks throughout Ireland.

 

Coillte have collaborated on a number of national projects including Woodlands For Health, Let's Talk & Walk – Green Ribbon Campaign, Mental Health Ireland's Summer Solstice Well-being Day and 5000 Steps To Well-being and a number of other private and public Coillte events.

Woodlands For Health

Woodlands for Health is a 12-week woodland-based guided walking programme for adults availing of mental health services and supports in Ireland. Woodlands for Health is an accessible and sustainable way to engage with nature, as part of a toolkit for supporting mental health and well-being.

 

Woodlands for Health began as a pilot project in Wicklow in 2012, based on the award-winning “Branching Out” programme in Scotland. In 2024 there were 18 Woodlands for Health programmes running in 14 counties with 384 participants across Ireland.

 

The national partners of Woodlands for Health are Get Ireland Walking, Mental Health Ireland and Coillte and it is facilitated by additional programme partners through local steering groups.

 

For more information:

go to the WFH website: https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/woodlandsforhealth/

 

or contact the National Woodlands and Nature Project Lead:

Sarah Hourigan; sarah@mentalhealthireland.ie; 087 359 0011

 

Woodlands for Health recognises that walking is an activity with a potential risk of personal injury. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Coillte staff at green ribbon campaign launch

Coillte have collaborated with Mental Health Ireland and Get Ireland Walking to deliver the programme nationally which is coordinated at a local level by the Local Sports Partnership.

 

The programme has been implemented successfully in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Kerry, Laois, Limerick, Roscommon, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow.

 

Link Irish Times

Link Eco Eye

Minister For Mental Health Jim Daly Supports Green Ribbon Campaign

Minister Daly With Represemtatives From Coillte, Mental Health Ireland, See Change and IFA At The Launch Of The Green Ribbon - Lets Talk and Walk In Merrion Square
Minister For Mental Health Jim Daly Supports Green Ribbon Campaign

Let's Talk & Walk Events Promote The Green Ribbon

Coillte is a partner organisation in the Green Ribbon Let’s Talk, Let’s Walk campaign providing its Forest Parks and trails for a national programme of events in collaboration with the IFA, See Change and Mental Health Ireland during the month of May each year since 2013.

Just like the pink ribbon became a symbol for breast cancer awareness the Green Ribbon has been established as the international symbol for mental health awareness and has been introduced to Ireland by See Change.

Coillte are pleased that these annual Green Ribbon events providing communities with the opportunity to enjoy two things inherent to us in Ireland….Nature and Talking

Green Ribbon Video https://youtu.be/xz-S_LQeoO8

Coillte Promote Mental Health Ireland Initiatives

Coillte have hosted a number of events in partnership with Mental Health Ireland which include:

The "Summer Solstice” Walks.

The "5000 Steps To Well-Being" Walks.