“Community Gardening has shown a very positive impact on stress and mental illness,” Eleanor Vincent, Ed.D., LCPC, CSAC, Chief Operating Officer at Pathway Homes told Mental Health Weekly. “The program helps the population with serious mental illness learn new skills.”
“…The other piece is the socialization aspect,” said Vincent. Being part of the gardening community is a way of engaging and coming together with people, she noted, “They choose to get their hands dirty or not or sit quietly and watch other people; they get out of their shell.”
…The response to the project has been consistently positive, Vincent said. “Individuals served, neighbors, community partners alike, have been impressed by the innovative nature of this project and the return of investment for the individuals we serve…They also see a positive impact for the community at large.”
