The mental health benefits of waterways

The social, economic and cultural outcomes theme focused on better understanding the values of water for Basin communities.

Science and research

Social and economic

MD-WERP theme	Social, economic and cultural outcomes
MD-WERP research question	What is the relationship between the condition of the riverine ecosystem and social, economic and cultural values?
Project title	The mental health benefits from improvements to riverine ecosystem health
Research lead	Griffith University
Authors	Associate Professor Ali Chauvenet
Date of publication	December 2024
Report full title	The mental health benefits of waterways
Keywords	Waterways; mental health; Murray–Darling Basin; economic; psychology; recreation; art; wildlife; birds; bird watching; Basin community values
Summary of output	This project investigated the relationship between people, waterways and mental wellbeing in the Murray–Darling Basin. It uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and an interdisciplinary approach of ecology, psychology and economics. It also explores the potential associated economic benefits of healthy waterways via reduced demand for mental health services (e.g. hospital visits, psychology services). While past research has demonstrated the mental health benefits from visiting terrestrial environments like urban green spaces and national parks, few studies exist on riverine ecosystems' impact on wellbeing. In addition, there is a knowledge gap in how the health of freshwater environments impacts the provision of these wellbeing benefits. This project aimed to fill these gaps and quantify the mental wellbeing benefit of visiting waterways, the impact of river condition and environmental flows on the mental wellbeing of residents. It also aimed to understand who in the Basin is most likely to visit waterways (and why), and whether being involved in water management and restoration decisions influences mental wellbeing. This document includes the discussion paper on Freshwater ecosystems for improved mental health.
Key findings / recommendations	Residents of the Basin interact with local waterways through four main activities: connection to place, recreation, social, and wildlife or art. People’s connectedness to nature, and how they value waterways as important places for these activities and for making them feel happy, rested and mentally restored, is correlated to whether they will visit waterways. Being involved in water management and restoration contributes to people receiving wellbeing benefits from visiting waterways. The frequency of visits to waterways impacts mental wellbeing. The more that a person visits each year, the more wellbeing benefits they are likely to experience. The extent of native bird declines and dying native vegetation observed in local waterways directly impacts mental wellbeing. Visiting waterways in poorer conditions yields fewer mental health benefits than visiting healthy waterways.
Target audience	Australian Government, state governments, local governments, communities, economists, health services

Report
Publication title	Published	File type	File size
In development

Published date: 19 May 2025