Mental Health Benefits

In recent years, research has revealed an increase in the prevalence and severity of mental health disorders among college students. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, these numbers have skyrocketed. Despite experiencing psychological distress, students are hesitant to seek counselling due to the stigma and considerable financial expenditures connected with it (Martin, 2009). Our goal with this horticulture therapy program is to provide UTM students with an alternative therapeutic outlet and make nature their stress buster.

The HT environment will act as a ‘getaway sanctuary’ that will provide a positive distraction from overwhelming stress and anxiety and increase comfort level (Hewson, 2004). 

In addition, being in sunlight is beneficial for one’s mental health. On sunny days, your brain produces more serotonin, the “feel-good hormone”. Interestingly, the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which controls personality and executive functioning, is heavily reliant on serotonin (Sansone & Sansone, 2013). 

Want to learn more about how horticulture therapy improves mental health?

Check out the following links below:

Citations:

Hewson, M. (2004). Horticulture as Therapy. A Practical Guide to Using Horticulture as a Therapeutic Tool. Greenmore Publisher, Guelph Ontario.

Martin, J. M. (2010). Stigma and student mental health in Higher Education. Higher Education Research & Development, 29(3), 259–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360903470969

Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2013). Sunshine, Serotonin, and Skin: A Partial Explanation for Seasonal Patterns in Psychopathology? Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 10(7-8), 20–24.