RESEARCH

Gardens of Historic Mental Health Hospitals and Their Potential Use for Green Therapy Purposes

This study explores the potential of historic psychiatric hospital gardens as spaces for modern green therapy, analyzing their past and present therapeutic roles

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, General Population

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Healthcare Centre

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health

Access: Free

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Summary

Historic psychiatric hospitals were often designed with gardens and green spaces that served both aesthetic and therapeutic purposes, reflecting early psychiatric principles that emphasized nature’s role in mental health recovery. Over time, these institutions evolved, and many were closed or repurposed. However, some still operate in historic sites, offering opportunities to integrate green therapy into modern psychiatric care. The study examines three case studies in Europe where gardens and landscapes of former psychiatric hospitals are still in use, demonstrating their untapped potential for therapeutic activities.

Findings suggest that gardening, horticultural therapy, and nature-based interventions can support mental health treatment, particularly in long-term psychiatric care settings. However, challenges such as funding, staffing, and the need for specialized horticultural expertise limit their full implementation. The study highlights the need for structured green therapy programs within psychiatric hospitals to preserve historic landscapes while promoting patient well-being

Link

Staniewska, A. (2022). Gardens of Historic Mental Health Hospitals and Their Potential Use for Green Therapy Purposes. Land, 11(10), 1618.

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