Rehabilitation through horticultural practices within a psychiatric setting

Abstract

While treatment and rehabilitation typically have been offered in health care facilities, many have found that a garden offers a complementary health care setting that helps to restore physical and mental health to those who work the soil and watch seeds grow. This research focuses on individuals who participated in a rehabilitation programme where gardening and horticultural activities were the main focus of therapy. Information was gathered through participant observation, interviews and literature analysis. Qualitative methods were used to promote dialogue between the researcher and the participants and to access detailed illuminative information about the therapeutic benefits of gardening and horticultural activities for its adult participants. The study aimed to document the benefits of using gardening and horticultural activities for individuals experiencing the long term effects of mental illness, and how these benefits have relevance for social work practice. Emergent themes of the literature support the central argument and rationale of this research. The study illuminated a living dynamic aspect of this form of rehabilitation resulting from participants engagement with a living medium. This form of rehabilitation is performed outdoors in an environment that is stimulating and beneficial to well-being. Participants emphasized the benefits of interaction with other group members and described increases in social confidence, self-esteem and stress reduction.