Mental Health Intervention: A Summary

2046 Words5 Pages

The study “Gardening and a mental Health intervention: A review, by (Clatworthy, Hinds and Camic, 2013) examines an array of allotment gardening tests to try and give us a good understanding of the possible benefits of allotment gardening. This study started of by collecting and examining hundreds of case studies so that it could use only the most prevalent case studies for its analytical data. It is stated that in 2003, there was “little to no evidence supporting psychological benefits from gardening” (Catsworthy, Hinds, Camic, 2013, Pg. 1). The results were set out to collect up to date data from clinical studies that date back to 2003. Using online resources such as PsychInfo, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, British Nursing Index and …show more content…

A hand picked selection of articles may create a self serving bias but in this case it should validate the results. Also, regarding each study, a larger sample size and repeat trials could be helpful in determining validity of these tests. A comparison like this one, which takes gardening intervention programs worldwide and places them side by side can properly analyze theoretical perspectives and study techniques to validate each test and find patterns within them. That is what this study sought out to do. It is important to note that these studies do not provide evidence of sustainability in mental improvement or long term effects of gardening as a mental health technique. Only one study examined the effects of the participants after the intervention took place and this was 3 months following the intervention. The results showed little evidence towards long-term sustainability of positive health benefits after these trials. The results did show a correlation in health benefits. The perceived quality of life was improved in the short-term in all trials examined by the …show more content…

This article is focused on examining the factors of our environment and how it plays a role in our health. It states that, the evolution of primate to modern man has discoursed over the last 65 million years. For the majority of this time, it has been advantageous for any species to recognize the components of nature such as water, plants and landscapes. Knowledge of how to harness nature has been a key to our survival. Fresh water and edible plants are an indication of health and nourishment. Having a connection with the natural environment can give a person the feeling of calmness, tranquility and assurance. This is a potential outlet to recover and decrease levels of stress. The article states that “the concept that plants have a role in mental health is well established” and “horticultural therapy evolved as a form of mental health treatment, based on the therapeutic effects of gardening” (Frumkin, Pg. 236). The article promotes the need for the integration of the natural environment to become a new model for treating overall public health. It states that in just the last few hundred years humans have exposed themselves to an unnatural living environment, becoming further disconnected with nature as we once knew it. The author

Open Document