By Princess Mharire
In the densely populated suburb of Kuwadzana, where green spaces are scarce and mental health services limited, a youth-led initiative is turning to nature to address rising levels of anxiety and depression.
Launched in 2020, the Greening Kuwadzana Project seeks to improve mental well-being through community-driven tree care and environmental activities.
Central to the project is the Tree Care Therapy for Mental Health programme, which combines tree planting with art therapy, music, sports, and educational workshops aimed at creating safe and supportive spaces, particularly for young people.
Tafadzwa Gwini, founder of the Greening Kuwadzana Project, said the initiative combines eco-therapy with self-care, noting that by giving back to the Earth, individuals also support their own healing.
“This purposeful nurturing of young trees is symbolic in the sense that it represents nursing the wounded inner child and giving life and hope into one’s life through acts of service to the environment.”
Gwini’s message comes at a time when the world is observing Mental Health Awareness Month, held every May to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote access to mental health support. The global campaign encourages individuals, communities, and institutions to prioritise emotional well-being and open conversations around mental health challenges.
With increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout, particularly in underserved communities, initiatives like the Greening Kuwadzana Project highlight the importance of innovative, accessible approaches to mental wellness.
The programme, run in partnership with the Ndinewe Foundation, hosts sessions at least three times a year. The programme provides an opportunity for participants to express emotions, build community ties, and engage with the natural environment.
Research supports the connection between nature and improved mental health. In 2022, a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that participants in urban forest therapy programmes experienced a 34% drop in depression symptoms, better sleep, and reduced physical signs of stress. That same year, findings from the UK also linked nature-based activities to lower levels of anxiety.
With growing demand for mental health support, projects like Greening Kuwadzana are offering alternative pathways to care. The initiative aims to improve individual well-being while also promoting environmental stewardship.
“We are investing in our communities and the planet,” Gwini said.
Nature has a powerful way of uplifting our mood, and even small daily encounters with the outdoors can make a difference. One of the simplest ways to experience this is by engaging with street trees, those growing along sidewalks and community spaces. Whether you’re walking to work, running errands, or simply stepping outside your home, the presence of trees offers an easy and accessible connection to nature. In fact, 57% of people report feeling mental health benefits just from seeing nature during their daily routines, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
Residents interested in taking part in the project’s tree planting events are encouraged to get involved, as the initiative offers benefits for both personal well-being and community health.
