FOREST4YOUTH

Update : 2025-04-29 16:04:10
An escalating youth mental health crisis is leaving adolescents vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and behavioural issues.
Forest4Youth harnesses North-West Europe's woodland potential—proven to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being—to provide relief, resilience, and renewed hope.
By bringing together mental health institutions, forestry experts, and leading academics, Forest4Youth offers immersive therapies (both real and VR) to meet adolescents' clinical needs and embed them into psychiatric care.

Co-funded by the European Union and with the support of the Walloon Government, running from 2025 to 2028, Forest4Youth aims to develop : 

• a joint synthesis of the forest-based initiatives and research experiences at the benefit of teenagers facing mental health issues;
• a joint care protocol integrating both real and VR forest experiences;
• the implementation of 8 pilot therapeutic forests in NWE countries and of pilot VR immersive forest-based activities;
• the implementation of pilot actions targeting 400 teenagers facing mental health issues;
• guidelines for public authorities, foresters and mental health professionals;
• tailor-made training framework for mental health professionals and foresters;
• the implementation of 5 reference centers to ensure sustainability of the outcomes of the project.