Young people to be prescribed surfing and dancing by NHS to help anxiety

Surfing is one the activities on offer. But mental health charities say social prescribing ‘cannot be a a substitute for other types of support such as talking therapies’. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Young people will take part in surfing, rollerskating and gardening to see whether sport, the arts and outdoor activities can make them less anxious and depressed.

NHS mental health trusts will use the activities to help 600 young people on their waiting lists for care as part of a study into whether “social prescribing” helps improve mental wellbeing.