Therapeutic Gardens May Support Mental Health Recovery, Growing Evidence Suggests

A neglected patch of grass outside Kettering Health Behavioral Medical Center in Ohio has been transformed into a therapeutic garden that now plays a role in supporting patients' mental health recovery. What was once an unused section of the hospital grounds has become a dedicated outdoor space where patients can relax, reflect, and take part in gentle activities as part of their care.

The project was launched in 2024 by nurse professional development specialist Amy Cunningham together with colleagues Paula Ranking and Don Evans. They recognized that psychiatric patients often have limited access to calming outdoor environments and saw an opportunity to create a space that could benefit both patients and staff.

Careful Planning Shaped the Garden

Before construction began, the team established several principles to guide the project. The garden needed to focus on patient recovery, serve a therapeutic rather than decorative purpose, remain safe for psychiatric care, be maintained largely by staff and patients, and rely on donations instead of clinical funding.

To make the project possible, the medical center organized a fundraising and donation campaign in the spring of 2024. Employees and local residents donated plants from their own gardens, gardening tools, and financial contributions. Additional flowers and shrubs were purchased during seasonal sales at nearby garden centers to make the most of the available budget.

Within a single growing season, the previously unused lawn had been transformed into a therapeutic space with flower beds, small trees, and edible plants. The design prioritizes accessibility and sensory experiences, allowing patients with different physical and emotional needs to comfortably spend time in the garden and help care for it.

Gardening Has Become Part of Therapy

The garden is now incorporated into both occupational therapy and group therapy sessions at the center. Under appropriate supervision, patients can participate in activities such as planting, watering, and light weeding, while others use the space as a quiet place for reflection between appointments.

Patients who are unable to go outdoors can still benefit from the project. Bird feeders have been placed where they can be seen from ward windows, and fragrant plants have been planted close to the building. This allows patients indoors to observe wildlife, notice seasonal changes, and experience natural scents even when they cannot leave the ward.

Cunningham said the intention was never to create a showpiece garden. Instead, the goal was to develop a personal space shaped by both patients and staff so that those who use it feel a stronger sense of ownership and connection.

Research Points to the Benefits of Green Spaces

Growing clinical evidence suggests that spending time in green environments can support mental health. Studies have linked regular exposure to nature with lower levels of depression and anxiety, reduced stress hormone levels, and better sleep quality in many people.

Hospitals and veterans' centers across the United States and Europe have also introduced horticultural therapy programs. These initiatives show that simple, purposeful activities can improve mood and encourage social interaction. For some people living with severe mental illness, gardening also provides an opportunity to witness visible progress as seeds sprout and plants grow.

Mental health professionals note that even small responsibilities, such as watering plants or caring for a single flower bed, can help restore a sense of control during difficult periods. These everyday tasks can support the rebuilding of routines, improve concentration, and provide moments of calm when life feels overwhelming.

Nature-Based Approaches Are Gaining Recognition

The Kettering healing garden reflects a wider movement within mental health care to look beyond the therapy room for practical, low-cost ways to support recovery. As demand for psychiatric services continues to grow, nature-based interventions are receiving increasing attention as accessible, evidence-informed additions to traditional treatment.