‘Together we thrive’ in the great outdoors for World Mental Health Day
This year's World Mental Health Day theme focuses on togetherness, and recent research suggests camping helps bring people closer
Ahead of World Mental Health Day, BIG4 Holiday Parks is pointing to research that shows getting outdoors has a positive effect on Aussies’ mental health.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA)’s Real Richness 2026 report surveyed 2000 people, comparing the responses of 1000 campers with those who haven’t camped since at least 2023.
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It found that 9 in 10 campers said getting out and camping helped to relieve their stress. It also showed that 91 percent said camping helps them to appreciate nature more, and 87 percent said it makes them feel more in touch with nature.
BIG4 said its answer is a weekend ‘nature reset’: a few nights at camping, with the phone in the drawer and the beach, bush or river on the doorstep.
“No notifications, no inbox, nowhere you need to be.”
A “staycation”, they said, can be within an hour or two of home, but can make all the difference to health and wellbeing.
Even more appropriately, the theme for this year’s Mental Health Day in Australia is ‘Together we thrive’. Mental Health Australia found in a recent survey that just 21 percent of people feel very connected to friends, family, neighbours or their community.
About a third said they feel less connected to others than they did 10 years ago, while 65 percent said feeling disconnected from others can negatively affect their mental health.
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But with 93 percent of the CIAA report’s respondents saying camping makes happy memories, and 87 percent agreeing that camping brings families together, getting the whole family in on the action could help improve family connectedness and improve everyone’s feeling of wellbeing.
Mental Health Australia said this year’s theme “recognises that while life can often feel overwhelming, connection remains one of the most powerful ways to support our mental health and wellbeing.
“It’s feeling harder to find common ground or stay connected to what we share. And it’s taking a toll on our mental health.”
“At our core, our needs remain the same – to feel safe, understood and to know we matter. When we come together – through small, everyday moments of care, kindness, conversation and connection – we can help each other to truly thrive.”
