Future of Psychiatry –Beyond the Clinic: School Green Estate as Flourishing Infrastructure

I. Why this matters Youth mental health need is rising, and clinical services cannot carry the burden alone. Young people spend a majority oftheir time in school settings. The school environment informs experiences of belonging and identity, risk of anxiety and depression, and the trajectory of neurodevelopmental challenges. Future psychiatry needs non-clinical resilience and prevention models that are feasible, equitable, and evidence-informed. II. School-based Mental Health Research Question: Can nature-based programmes support mental healthand wellbeing in schools? Co-produced evidence with young people, educators, and DfE policymakers: • scoping review, ages 10–18 • educator interviews • cost-benefit framework • deliberative policy workshop II. Emerging Insights Nature-based programmes may support wellbeing, anxiety reduction, peer connection, leadership, and school engagement. Implementationis constrained by exam pressure, resources, safeguarding, peer stigma, lack of green space, and inconsistent support. The question is not only whether nature ‘works’, but how it can work in real schools.