When Covid-19 came to London, Layla McCay wasn’t surprised to see that, as in other cities around the world, residents sought relief from the stress of the pandemic by flocking to neighborhood parks. “It makes us feel well to be in green space,” says the psychiatrist and public health specialist. “It has an impact on mental well-being and goes beyond simply being outside.”
McCay is the founder and director of the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health, a London-based think tank that explores the link between the urban built environment and emotional health. The pandemic underscored the importance of that connection: Among children, teens, parents and caregivers, and the elderly, mental health issues have spiked over the past 18 months. City life itself could be contributing to this crisis. Pre-Covid research has shown that the stresses of the urban environment — likely exacerbated by factors such as air pollution — can increase the risk of experiencing mental health disorders; it’s associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.
