RESEARCH

Blocking out the rabbit holes: Photovoice and Community Gardening as a Healing Space for Veterans

This study found that a community gardening program significantly benefited veterans’ mental and emotional well-being, socialization, identity nurturing, and skill development. The findings support the integration of gardening programs within the VA’s Whole Health approach as a cost-effective way to improve veterans’ overall health and reintegration into the community.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Military/Veterans

Setting or Context: Farms

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Environmental Education

Evidence Type: Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at how gardening helps veterans from two Veterans Affairs (VA) programs. The veterans participated in a 12-week gardening program at a local urban farm, and researchers used focus groups and a method called photovoice, where participants take photos and share stories about their experiences. The study found that gardening helped the veterans in four main ways: it improved their mental and emotional well-being, helped them connect with others, allowed them to nurture living things and their own identities, and gave them a chance to learn new skills.

The researchers concluded that gardening programs like this one fit well with the VA’s focus on “Whole Health,” which looks at all aspects of a person’s well-being. Because it’s easy to copy and keep going, and because it helps veterans’ health in many ways, gardening is a great option for the VA.

Link

Besterman-Dahan, K., Bradley, S.E., Arriola, N.B., & Downs, K. (2021). Blocking out the rabbit holes: Photovoice and community gardening as healing space for veterans. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 2.

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