National Park Health Value and Natural Therapy

There is increasing evidence linking visits to protected outdoor environments, such as national parks, with improved mental health and well-being. Whether through coastal walks on sandy beaches or explorations in forests and mountains, spending time outdoors contributes positively to mental health by reducing stress, enhancing mood, and promoting psychological well-being. This Research Topic aims to deepen the exploration of how natural therapy and human well-being are interconnected, particularly through national parks, highlighting their therapeutic potential alongside their economic significance, estimated at $6 trillion annually worldwide.

Protected areas serve as sanctuaries for diverse ecosystems and as vital resources for public health. The recognition of these landscapes as valuable health resources is growing; however, their mental health benefits remain underexplored. This Research Topic invites scholars to focus on mental health values of protected areas, encouraging research that provides insights for these areas' management to maximize health benefits. Exploring the mechanisms by which national parks enhance mental health and well-being will clarify how these natural environments function as pillars of psychological restoration and public health improvement.

This Research Topic seeks robust scholarly contributions that specifically address how protected areas impact mental health, including but not limited to:

• What specific aspects of biodiversity within national parks contribute to mental health and well-being?
• How do national parks function as therapeutic landscapes, offering restorative effects on mental health?
• Through what mechanisms do ecosystem services like forest therapy (or green spaces) positively impact mental health?
• How can research enhance the value of national parks as both natural sanctuaries and vital mental health resources?
• What strategies can be applied to better integrate mental health evaluations into the management of protected areas?