Gardening as a Meaningful Occupation for Persons with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness: A Change Project
Graduation Date
2010
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
Department or Program Chair
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Thesis Advisor
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Abstract
Gardening is a meaningful occupation that can increase an individual’s overall function and improve quality of life. Specific interactions, types, and benefits of gardening are valuable for persons experiencing a serious and persistent mental illness. The purpose of this change project was to promote the use of gardening as a meaningful occupation through the use of an enhanced gardening environment and resource manual at Buckelew Programs, a community-based non-profit organization that provides services to persons with serious and persistent mental illness in Marin County, California. The goals of this project were to aid in the restoration of a gardening environment and to develop a gardening manual for staff use with clients. Due to time constraints the garden restoration was completed prior to the project implementation, therefore the primary focus of the project became the creation of the manual. The gardening manual provides information including the benefits and overall special consideration of gardening, gardening activities, and future recommendations. Use of this gardening manual will help the Garden Team and residential care staff to assist with an active gardening program for the clients of Buckelew Programs. Within the scope of occupational therapy practice, therapists can aid in the consultation, development, oversight, promotion, and sustainment of community therapeutic gardening programs.