Nature, Movement and Human Connection: The Evidence Behind the Mind Over Mountains Approach

By Helen Wooldridge, Head of Communications & Partnerships, Mind Over Mountains

In an era where mental health services are under immense pressure, nature-based interventions like those offered by charity Mind Over Mountains are gaining traction – not only for their accessibility and holistic appeal, but because they are proven to really work.

At the heart of Mind Over Mountains’ model is a simple yet transformative idea: combine the proven benefits of time in nature with professional mental health support. Their guided wellbeing walks and retreats bring together hiking, mindfulness, and coaching or counselling from experienced professionals – creating a safe, stigma-free environment for people to reconnect with themselves and others.

But beyond the inspiring stories, what’s the evidence?

In April 2025, Mind Over Mountains published an Evidence Base Review consolidating clinical research, peer-reviewed studies, and psychological frameworks to validate the five key components of their approach. This review doesn’t just support the model, it strengthens the case for making nature-based interventions part of mainstream mental health support.

Five Pillars, Five Evidence Streams

The review explores a wealth of academic and practical evidence behind each pillar of the Mind Over Mountains mode:

Time in Nature
Spending time in green and blue spaces is consistently linked with lower stress, improved mood, reduced overthinking/rumination, and a lower risk of mental illness.
Physical Activity
Movement, especially walking, has long been recognised as a powerful antidepressant. It improves sleep, reduces anxiety, and boosts self-esteem – especially in outdoor spaces.
Human Connection
Group-based outdoor experiences help reduce isolation, build social trust, and restore a sense of belonging – factors known to protect against mental health difficulties.
Mindfulness in Nature
Practising mindfulness outdoors amplifies its effects. Participants report greater emotional regulation, calmness, and a stronger connection to themselves and the world around them.
Professional Coaching and Counselling
The presence of trained professionals ensures depth, safety, and structure. Coaching and counselling help individuals reflect, process emotions, and gain practical tools for moving forward.

The review concludes that the combination of these five elements creates a “powerful synergy”, with each component reinforcing the others to achieve a more sustained and transformative impact.

Real-World Results

This isn’t just theory. Mind Over Mountains measures its outcomes using tools like the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). The results speak for themselves:

91% of participants report a lasting improvement in their mental wellbeing
94% feel more connected to others after taking part
92% say they gained practical tools to support their mental health going forward

Many participants describe the experience as “life-changing” – not just a break, but a turning point.

The model has also shown particular value in reaching people who might not otherwise access support, especially those on NHS waiting lists or feeling let down by clinical systems. Thanks to bursaries and a flexible format, the charity ensures its programmes are inclusive and welcoming to participants aged 18+.

A Model for the Future of Mental Health Support

The Mind Over Mountains Evidence Base Review doesn’t just validate the charity’s approach – it positions it as a credible, scalable intervention at a time when the NHS is calling for more community-based, preventative care.

In the context of England’s Green Social Prescribing pilots – where early data showed significant wellbeing gains and a social return of £1.88 for every £1 invested – this model offers an example of how we can bring together nature, science, and compassion in practice.

The Mind Over Mountains approach exemplifies the interface between social prescribing, health services, wellbeing activities, and community assets. Combining professional support, nature, movement and social connection aligns with Wales Mental Heath and Wellbeing Strategy, strengthening opportunities for all communities to take action to protect and promote good mental health and wellbeing.

Why This Matters

Innovative, evidence-informed models like this one show us what the future of mental health care can look like: outdoors, connected, and deeply human.

Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, funder or simply someone who believes in the power of walking and talking, the evidence is clear: we must take nature-based support seriously – not as an alternative, but as a core part of our response to a growing mental health crisis.