Therapy with a Green Thumb
By Cody Miller, Public Affairs Specialist
For many Veterans, healing extends beyond the walls of a clinic or hospital room. At the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, Veterans are building confidence and improving overall well-being through the creation of a community garden.
The garden currently consists of six garden beds with flowers, herbs, and vegetables being planted and was started by the Recreational Therapy and Whole Health teams to provide Veterans with a viable means of community and stress relief.
“Gardening is an excellent therapeutic modality for many reasons,” said Katie Megregian, a Ralph H. Johnson VA recreational therapist. “Veterans can socialize while participating in a productive activity. Gardening creates a sense of purpose and responsibility, which is something that is valuable in a community where self-isolation is so common. In addition to all of that, the Veterans can learn a new, healthy leisure skill they can utilize at home.”
According to the 2024 National Library of Medicine article “The impact of gardening on well-being, mental health, and quality of life: an umbrella review and meta-analysis,” a broad review of 40 studies on gardening and horticulture therapy revealed an overall positive impact of gardening activities on several measures of mental well-being, quality of life, and health status.
“Gardening is a therapeutic tool that can be used to improve a myriad of problems,” Megregian said. “For example, if someone feels as though they “can’t” garden due to a physical disability or limitation, I can work with them on modifying the experience so that they can still participate in an activity that they love. Additionally, gardening is a great activity for people who suffer from anxiety, isolation or depression, as it can be very calming and is highly goal-oriented.”
The garden is just one of over 20 group activities that is offered each week by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. These activities can range from art to physical fitness and are recommended by trained recreational therapists who can individually assess the goals and needs of each Veteran who receives their care at the VA.
The VA National Recreational Therapy Service and its therapists perpetuate active and meaningful therapeutic activities to maintain or improve functional independence and life quality. The intended outcome of the state of art evidence-based clinical interventions is independence in life activities based upon Veterans needs and goals.
For more information on how to get involved with some of these therapeutic programs and other Whole Health initiatives, go to: https://www.va.gov/charleston-health-care/programs/whole-health/