RESEARCH

Pilot Evaluation of Horticultural Therapy in improving Overall Wellness in Veterans with History of Suicidality

The study found that there were significant immediate improvements in stress, pain, mood, and loneliness right after each horticultural therapy session. Furthermore, the study observed that the initial gardening session seemed to have a lasting effect, as the veterans reported lower levels of stress, pain, depressed mood, and loneliness in the weeks following the first session, even before the subsequent sessions began.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Military/Veterans

Setting or Context: Public/Botanical Gardens, Healthcare Centre

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

Allied Profession Intersections: Behavioral Therapy

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Nature-Based Arts & Crafts, Plant Propagation, Greenhouse/Nursery Production, Environmental Education, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at whether gardening could help veterans who had experienced thoughts of suicide or had attempted suicide. The researchers wanted to see if horticultural therapy (HT), which involves working with plants, could improve their stress, mood, pain, and feelings of loneliness. Twenty veterans participated in the program, which was part of a larger wellness initiative. They attended four weekly 3.5-hour sessions at the New York Botanical Garden. During these sessions, a horticultural therapist guided them in activities like nature walks, journaling, and planting in the garden and greenhouse. To track how the veterans were feeling, the researchers used simple thermometer-like scales where the veterans rated their levels of stress, mood, pain, and loneliness before and after each gardening session. They also compared these simple scales to more detailed, standard questionnaires at the beginning of the program.

The aim of the gardening program was to give the veterans tools to feel more resilient and improve their overall well-being. Each session had a theme, starting with introductions and an overview of how being in nature can be therapeutic. Then, the veterans participated in hands-on activities like planting seeds, making trellises, or creating nature art. They also had time to socialize during lunch and reflect on their experiences at the end of each session. The researchers analyzed the ratings from the thermometer scales to see if there were any changes in the veterans’ stress, mood, pain, and loneliness after each session and over the four weeks.

Link

Meore, A., Sun, S., Byma, L. et al. (2021). Pilot evaluation of horticultural therapy in improving overall wellness in veterans with history of suicidality. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 59, 102728

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