Mental health challenges affect one in every five adults, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, yet not everyone who struggles with mental health gets the support they need.
A new resource in Utah Valley aims to change that by combining mental health care with outdoor activities.
Liliana Roney, owner of the Neuroscience Mental Health Clinic, acknowledges that many people are aware of their mental health struggles but may be hesitant to seek help.
“A lot of people know they’re struggling with mental health,” she said. “But not everyone gets the help they need.”
Zack Bird, founder of Utah Outdoor Therapy, points out that many people avoid mental health services, even when they know they need them.
“There are lots of people who need mental health services who choose not to be involved in them,” Bird said.
Bird believes the first step to addressing mental health is recognizing the need for help. While acknowledging that the process can be intimidating, he encourages people to take that first step toward seeking support.
“The first step is to be aware enough that you may need some more support than what you're doing yourself,” Roney said. “It's really scary,”
Utah Outdoor Therapy is a nonprofit organization focused on making outdoor therapy more accessible to individuals in need of mental health treatment.
The program offers activities such as rock climbing, paddleboarding, backpacking, pickleball and more, with the goal of encouraging people to get outside and engage in physical activity.
Bird hopes the program will provide more than just a short-term mental health boost. He wants participants to make lasting lifestyle changes that promote overall well-being.
“Our programs are really meant to be a supplement to any type of treatment,” he said.
Roney supports Bird’s approach, emphasizing the benefits of nature for mental health. Spending time outdoors, she explained, can reduce stress, improve mood, increase physical activity, and strengthen social connections.
“What Zack is doing, I think, is beautiful,” Roney said.
Bird's vision extends beyond Utah Valley. He hopes his program will inspire a broader, more holistic approach to mental health treatment, one that integrates outdoor activities with traditional therapy.
“I’m hoping this isn’t something that just stays in Utah,” Bird said. “I’m hoping it’s something that paves the way for a more holistic approach to mental health treatment.”
For many people, outdoor activities can provide a sense of peace and connection.
BYU student Ella Allred believes that spending time outside has a positive impact on her mental health.
“When I take time to be outside, it really improves my mental health,” Allred said.
Utah Outdoor Therapy represents a growing trend in mental health care, one that integrates nature and physical activity into traditional therapeutic practices.
As Bird and Lili both agree, the combination of mental health care and the outdoors may offer a new path to healing for those in need.