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TOWARDS A HAPPIER LIFE: THERAPEUTIC
HORTICULTURE AS A MEANS OF MENTAL
HEALTH REHABILITATION
Background
In this country 1 in 4 adults at some time suffer some form of mental health problem.
The majority
recover and lead normal lives.
Those who suffer...
More
1
TOWARDS A HAPPIER LIFE: THERAPEUTIC
HORTICULTURE AS A MEANS OF MENTAL
HEALTH REHABILITATION
Background
In this country 1 in 4 adults at some time suffer some form of mental health problem.
The majority
recover and lead normal lives.
Those who suffer from severe forms of mental health problems
are not so lucky.
A study carried out in East Dorset (published December 1988) assessed the quality of life of
people with long-term mental illness (with a history of more than three years).
It established a
case register of over 100 people – of those surveyed 17% were employed in full, part-time or
voluntary work, 51% were unemployed and wished to change this and the remainder were retired
or did not wish to work.
Research has shown that many people who have experienced mental illness over a period of time
have a strong desire to work, many stating that finding a job was the most important thing they
wished to achieve in their lives.
Those in employment emphasised the importance of social
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