On 19 September, Forest4Youth partners, practitioners, and local stakeholders gathered in the Sainte-Menehould forest to analyse its therapeutic potential. The event combined immersive practice, site assessment, and professional exchange.
Morning Immersion
At 09:00, a group of mental health professionals entered the forest for a guided Forest-Based Therapy session hosted by our partner UNature. Stepping into the role their patients will one day take, participants were invited to:
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disconnect from daily stress by silencing phones and slowing down,
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settle into a safe and welcoming space, where silence and reflection were encouraged,
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move through a 2h30 progression of activities: mindful breathing, sensory grounding, slow walking, attentive observation, and reflective pauses.
Throughout the session, the guide explained the scientifically documented benefits—stress reduction, attentional recovery, emotional regulation, and social connectedness—while weaving in curiosities about the forest ecosystem.
In parallel: site assessment
While the immersion unfolded, SRFB and Élan Argonnais conducted a field survey to evaluate Sainte-Menehould’s forest potential to be classified as a therapeutic forest. Together with the Sainte/Menehould mayor, Bertrand Courot, they examined:
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accessibility and safety,
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habitat diversity and micro-topography,
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sensory qualities (light, sound, vegetation density),
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seasonal resilience.
The preliminary conclusion: Sainte-Menehould is a promising candidate for piloting therapeutic sessions, offering strong potential for local mental-health services and wider community wellbeing.
Midday debrief: first impressions
At the restaurant interentreprise d’Élan Argonnais, both practitioner groups shared early insights:
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Experiencing the protocol as participants helps grasp the pace, silence, and non-verbal dimensions of therapy.
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Clear framing and safety cues are essential for lowering barriers to engagement.
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Practical considerations emerged around group size, facilitation roles, and timing.
Afternoon exchange: mapping interests and outcomes
A focused discussion with mental-health professionals explored opportunities, concerns, and expectations:
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Interest: integrating nature-based sessions into care pathways, widening access to low-threshold interventions, supporting recovery and relapse prevention.
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Concerns: safeguarding in outdoor settings (weather, terrain, allergies), defining professional boundaries outside the clinic, documenting outcomes, and clarifying referral criteria.
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Expected results: immediate stress relief and emotional balance, medium-term improvements in mood and social connectedness, and stronger therapeutic alliance when alternating between forest and clinical settings.
