Youth-designed 'blue-green' spaces boost resilience and mental wellness for Appalachian adolescents

Article excerpt

Adolescents in rural Appalachian communities face outsized mental health challenges and isolation, but a Georgetown University study suggests youth-led design of 'blue-green' outdoor spaces, combining water and vegetation, can build what researchers call 'Situated Strength.' The research involved teens designing these environments themselves, creating places that appear to boost both resilience and mental wellness. The finding points to a scalable intervention for a population with limited access to mental health resources, leveraging the teens' own connection to their communities.