Numerous studies confirm that access to green spaces positively influences both physical and mental wellbeing. Recent research from Carleton and Queen’s Universities, published in PLOS One, underscores the particular benefits of urban green spaces for older Canadians grappling with depression and loneliness during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, many Canadians aged 50 and older experienced heightened levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation. To understand how proximity to green environments may have mitigated these effects, researchers analyzed data from over 13,000 participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

The team employed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES‑D) Short Scale to screen for depressive symptoms both before the pandemic and six months into it. They then quantified the “greenness” of each participant’s residential neighbourhood using satellite‑derived vegetation indices.

Consistent with prior findings, the prevalence of depression nearly doubled during the pandemic: 8.5 % of men and 14.4 % of women reported depressive symptoms pre‑pandemic, rising to 16.5 % and 27.1 % respectively six months later.

Importantly, participants who had access to greener neighbourhoods were less likely to experience depression during the pandemic, regardless of their pre‑pandemic status. The protective effect was strongest among those who were not depressed before the outbreak.

The benefits were especially pronounced for individuals with lower socioeconomic status and those with mobility limitations, highlighting how green space can serve as a vital resource for at‑risk groups.

“Our study demonstrates that residential greenness in urban settings can support mental health during crises such as the pandemic,” the authors conclude. “The sharp decline in mental health scores among our cohort underscores the urgent need for targeted mental‑health support during such events.”