Bee Well: Piloting a new mental health intervention for rural young people who have been exposed to a natural disaster

Young people growing up in rural Australia are increasingly facing the mental health toll of climate-related disasters — fires, floods, droughts — that strike their communities. The 'Bee Well' program has been designed specifically for teenagers aged 16–18 in rural NSW who have lived through natural disasters and are struggling with distress or anxiety about climate change and their environment. The program takes place outdoors over two full days, drawing on eco-therapy principles — the idea that spending meaningful time in nature, and developing a positive relationship with the environment, can build psychological resilience. Participants will engage in structured outdoor activities designed to support mental wellbeing, and researchers will measure changes in distress, resilience, and mental health outcomes. You may be eligible if you are 16–18 years old, currently living in rural NSW, and have personally experienced a natural disaster at some point in your life. Young people with acute suicidal risk, active psychosis, or significant cognitive impairment are not eligible for safety reasons. The study is run by the University of New England.