A national study conducted by researchers from Carleton University and the University of Toronto has found that older adults living in greener neighborhoods were less likely to experience depression during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Analyzing data from over 13,000 urban participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the study revealed that access to nearby green spaces—including public parks, playing fields, street trees, and private gardens—may serve as a protective factor for mental health. The benefits were particularly pronounced for individuals without a prior history of depression, those with limited economic resources, and people with mobility challenges.
The study identified four key findings:
Lower depression rates in greener areas: Urban areas with higher vegetation were associated with reduced rates of depression during the pandemic. Older adults without pre-existing depression who lived in greener neighborhoods were significantly less likely to develop depression.
“Urban greenery wasn’t just a backdrop—it played a protective mental health role during one of the most stressful global events in recent history,” said Dr. Paul J. Villeneuve, lead author and Professor of Neuroscience at Carleton University.
Greater protection for lower-income residents: The mental health benefits of neighborhood greenness, measured using satellite data, were most pronounced among lower-income Canadians, especially those without previous depression.
“Green spaces may have provided modest yet meaningful support for the mental well-being of lower-income Canadians, offering relief amid widening socio-economic disparities,” said Susanna Abraham Cottagiri, co-author and doctoral candidate at Queen’s University School of Medicine.
Stronger benefits for those with mobility limitations: Older adults with mobility challenges gained more mental health benefits from living in greener areas. Restricted access to distant green spaces made nearby greenery particularly important.
“When mobility is limited, the greenery right outside your door plays a crucial role in supporting mental health,” said Dr. Ying Jiang, Senior Epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Enhanced effects for socially less active individuals: People who rarely left their immediate yards prior to the pandemic experienced stronger protective effects from neighborhood greenery during COVID-19 lockdowns.
“The psychological value of green space may increase when social interactions are limited,” said Dr. Margaret de Groh, study co-author.
The authors emphasize that these findings highlight the importance of urban planning and mental health policy reforms in Canada.
“There is a need to expand equitable access to green spaces, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods, preserve local greenery during public health emergencies, and integrate green infrastructure into mental health resilience strategies,” said Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson, co-author and Director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging at the University of Toronto.
This study is among the few longitudinal analyses examining mental health and green space during the pandemic, using satellite data to measure neighborhood greenness and validated depression assessments at two points: pre-pandemic and six months into the pandemic. It also explores how socioeconomic status, mobility limitations, and social behavior influence the mental health benefits of greenery. The authors note, however, that the most vulnerable Canadians, such as residents of long-term care facilities, were not included in the sample.
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