Living close to parks or water sources ‘may reduce risk of mental health issues’

Adults living closer to green, blue spaces may have lower psychological distress, research suggests (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Living close to parks and water sources may reduce the risk of mental health issues in older people, early research suggests.

A preliminary study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 75th Annual Meeting suggested people living within half a mile of “green” or “blue” spaces had a 17% lower risk of experiencing serious psychological distress compared with those living further away.