‘Dungeness’ by Rachel Black.
“This piece is a response to the power of the sea. It is acrylic on canvas board, washed with seawater at the beach at Dungeness, Kent. It signals to the viewer the all consuming might of the water that surrounds us and the duality that a body of water can subsume and drown us or therapeutically and metaphorically wash away the pain mental illness inflicts upon those of us who are at its mercy.”

By Kim Wright, Samantha Eden, Anna Hancox, Danielle Windget, Lewis Elliott, Zoe Glossop, Gordon Johnston, Rose I. Johnston, Fiona Lobban, Christopher Lodge, Jasper Palmier-Claus, Sally Parkin, Piran C.L. White, and Sarah L. Bell.

Read the full paper here.

“Blue space” describes outdoor places where water is the central feature. There is little research into how people with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar use blue space and how it affects their mental health.

Our research team included researchers, students and people with lived experience of mental ill health. All were involved in analysing interviews and agreeing on the main themes. Our project interviewed nineteen people who reported having a mental illness and used blue spaces to help their wellbeing. We investigated when and how they used blue spaces and why they found their experiences helpful. Each person was invited to bring an object, such as a photo, that reflected their use of blue space. This helped to put them at ease before answering our questions.

Participants defined blue spaces differently. Most mentioned natural features such as seas, rivers and lakes but others included canals, swimming pools and baths. Many used blue spaces at different times, for different reasons. Some described physical activities in, or near, blue spaces, but others simply enjoyed being close. Some told us they wrote, painted or took photographs.

We found four main themes from these interviews:

  • Several people described a ‘blue reset’: finding peace and mental clarity visiting a blue space, countering feelings of poor wellbeing.
  • Almost all told us they visited blue spaces to get away from social pressures and the demands of life.
  • Many used blue spaces throughout their lives, recalling special times or holidays, or memories of childhoods spent in similar places.
  • Some used blue spaces deliberately to make themselves feel better, knowing the benefits from past visits.

We were told of barriers to using blue spaces, including costs of transport, time constraints, bad weather and poor mood. Having a blue space close to home was important to most people. For some, looking at photos, watching documentaries or even taking a bath could benefit them when they couldn’t visit a blue space.

We have only begun to understand how people with mental health conditions might use blue spaces positively. More research is needed to deepen understanding and to show others how using blue spaces could help their mental health.