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People who spend more time near green spaces have lower risks for depression and anxiety, but it is not clear whether green space improves mental health or people with better mental health are more likely to live near green spaces. In this study, 541 blighted vacant lots in non-overlapping areas were randomized to greening (cleaning up trash, planting new grass and trees, regular maintenance, and a low wooden fence), cleaning (cleaning up trash, limited mowing, regular maintenance), or no change. Household surveys were used to obtain self-reports from 342 people living nearby of their mental health in the previous month, both preintervention and 18 months later.
At 18 months, people living near lots that underwent greening had significant de…