Tackling the effects of big cities on our mental health

How charity Living Streets is helping to combat the negative effects of living in a megacity on our mental well-being.

In London, 83% of people live in urban environments, with nearly two million Londoners experiencing some form of mental health issue every year due to living in this city of nearly nine million residents.

The main cause of this stems from the over-stimulation of our senses which, in turn, affects how we react to certain scenarios and forms of stress. The crowds, noise, litter and smells of urban environments can overwhelm people’s stimuli and make our bodies feel in a stressful state, making us more vulnerable to mental illness

However, there are ways of avoiding this big city overload and combatting the blues that mental illness brings. One of these is the provision of more carefully planned green spaces which give people more access to nature and encourage them to walk more, thus building exercise into their daily routines.

Helping to encourage and provide the changes the city needs to improve mental health is a charity called Living Streets, which aims to create improved urban environments and has been helping local councils and communities to make simple but effective changes.

For example some of their projects focus on:

• Designing a city around people rather than cars.
• Making walking the first choice of transport
• Safer routes, especially around schools
• Tackling air pollution
• Combating mental health by making more green spaces and walking around London safer

Although Living Streets main goal is to encourage everyone to start ‘everyday walking’ the underlying issue is overall to help people’s health, safety and environment. Jeremy Leach of Southwark Living Streets, said: “Living Streets focuses on improving parts of the city to have a clear balance of people and green spaces to lift people’s spirits”.

Overall, the aim is to create a healthier and happier nation, from children to older people, with less traffic, more green spaces, cleaner air and more vibrant communities.

’71% of people experienced a decrease in levels of depression after going out for a walk’. 

– Living Streets

Studies show the constant stimulation of a city can cause more risk on people’s mental health, with researchers finding that ‘City dwellers have an almost 40% increased risk of depression, over 20% more of anxiety, and double the risk of developing schizophrenia compared to people who live in the countryside.’

Cities not only take their toll on our mental well-being but also on our physical health. Exposure to air pollution and noise affects our sleeping patterns which, in turn, impacts on our immune system. The frantic pace of city streets can also encourage people to retreat into their private spaces and not have the social connections that can promote good mental health.

Living Streets offers solutions to these problems by devising schemes which reduce air pollution, creating more opportunities for walking, and supporting a range of organisations in projects and planning initiatives to improve our built environments.

City living is all about finding the balance between the excitement and stimulation that it provides with the calmer and quieter times we all need as well. As London and other cities continue to grow, organisations such as Living Streets are dedicated to improving our urban environments – and so bring a better quality of life to millions.