Sweden proposes a new approach to mental health: the "Swedish model" encourages travel as therapy

The "Swedish Prescription" initiative, launched by the organization Visit Sweden, transforms Sweden into a model of therapeutic tourism, supporting the idea that nature, culture, and the Swedish lifestyle have beneficial effects on health. The campaign, carried out with the support of doctors from various countries, suggests that instead of medications, doctors should recommend traveling to Sweden for stress reduction and improved sleep. The campaign's spot features an "official doctor" of Sweden discussing the benefits of activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

The project is supported by scientific research and offers a list of beneficial activities, such as walks in forests and swimming in cold waters. The program's brochure, available online, encourages patients to present it to their doctors, highlighting the positive effects on health. Sweden, with its diverse natural landscapes and the philosophy of friluftsliv, promotes the idea of "prescribed nature" as part of a mental health strategy. This innovative approach combines tourism with traditional treatments, aiming to integrate natural experiences into recovery plans.