Mental health therapy can come in many forms.
The benefits of unique forms of therapy like music and art therapy, laughter yoga, and horticultural therapy were showcased at the Mayor’s Event for Mental Health.
The annual event was hosted by Mayor Cam Guthrie for its 23rd year on Thursday.
“Mental health is health and we have to start treating it that way,” said Guthrie.
Tamaura Proctor, a registered horticultural therapist at Homewood Health talked about the benefits of connecting with nature for mental health.
All patients participate in horticultural therapy at Homewood Health.
She is a member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association. There are about 35 registered horticultural therapists in Canada.
There are supported theories for the benefits of horticultural therapy.
“The biophilia hypothesis and this theory just suggests that we have this innate tendency to seek out connections with nature,” said Proctor.
The connection with nature can come through vacations, camping or hiking.
“Hortophilia is the care of, the extension of the biophilia hypothesis. We as people have this deep bond with our gardens and we have this innate need to care for them,” said Proctor.
Another theory is the stress reduction theory which is the genetic fondness we have for nature and are comforted being in nature with benefits like lowered blood pressure and relaxing muscles, she said.
The last theory is the attention restoration theory, it suggests that being in nature gives our mind a break.
Patients participate in creating plant art and care for plants after the program is finished.
“At the end of every session the patients walk away with such a beautiful experience and something really beautiful that they can be proud of,” said Proctor.
At Homewood Health they have 47 acres of land which house vegetable, herb and flower gardens.
Anyone can connect with nature, Proctor suggested three ways people at home can do so. She said to find a sit spot where people can sit in nature and practice mindfulness.
Open air living means there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Proctor said people should experience nature in all seasons. Bringing houseplants into your home to improve mood, reduce fatigue and lower stress and anxiety.
She suggested forest bathing, it is practicing mindfulness in nature to improve your health and well being.
“We might think we are nurturing our garden but of course it’s our garden that’s really nurturing us,” said Proctor.
Speaker Courtney McLeod explained laughter is the best form of therapy. She is a life coach and founder of Kick Ass Ladies Group. Laughter yoga can improve your mental, physical and social health.
McLeod had everyone on the Zoom call burst into laughter.
Priya Shah, music psychotherapist at Homewood Health, started her speech with a song, playing guitar and singing to get everyone in a positive space.
One of the tools patients have is to create a playlist for mood management. Identifying songs that match their mood and help accomplish their goals in therapy.
Marcey Gray is the coordinator of Spark of Brilliance, a peer-driven program focused on healing through art.
She said it isn’t the end result of the art that matters it is the process of making the art resulting in better mental well being.
