Benefits of a therapeutic garden on the health and well-being of patients with mental illness: A case study

Abstract

This study investigates the benefits of a therapeutic garden on the health and well-being of patients with mental illness in a day care hospital. The research was conducted between March 2019 and June 2020. It was developed in three distinct phases: the construction and intervention in the therapeutic garden, and the preparation and application of interviews with healthcare professionals. Fifteen users, diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, attended the garden regularly. The results show multiple therapeutic benefits, including increased responsibility and compliance with rules, improved socialisation, reduced stress and anxiety, facilitated emotional expression, sensory and physical stimulation, reduced smoking and fewer psychiatric readmissions. The garden promoted relaxation and the development of more structured routines, contributing to the users’ rehabilitation. The research reinforces the effectiveness of therapeutic gardens as a complementary approach to treating mental illness, highlighting their positive impact on patients’ quality of life.