An organization in Sydney, N.S. that helps people recovering from mental illness has developed a gardening project to help them in their battle.
“There is something therapeutic about gardening, something about getting your hands into the soil,” says Jonathan MacDonald, who lives with depression.
Developing a green thumb is something MacDonald says has been helpful in his continued recovery from mental illness. He has battled depression for most of his life.
“Within the mental health field, there is a lot of research saying gardening is an excellent therapy, shall we say, to help people recover,” says MacDonald. “Fresh air, exercise, engaging yourself, watching something grow.”
The gardening project has been underway since winter and the people at Pathway to Employment, an organization that helps people recovering from mental illness find their way into the workforce, say it has been a success.
“It’s amazing to watch them, to see how enthusiastic they get about installing a bed, or about seedlings growing, how they completely own the project,” says Amanda Carroll with Pathway to Employment.
The garden beds were initially intended for about 20 housing units for people living with mental illness, but demand for the beds has grown.
“We have other people who have individuals who live with mental illness at home, we have people who work with youth, wanting youth to work with seedlings, grow their own food, harvest their own food, prepare meals with it,” says Carroll.
Now that the group is sharing the fruits of their labour, MacDonald says it comes with a great source of pride.
“I can’t explain it exactly, but there’s something about seeing a seed go from nothing into a tall plant that you can actually harvest and eat, almost like watching a child grow,” he says.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald
