8th February 2022
At North End House in Durham, a Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) garden was set-up to help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress related symptoms in children and young adults.
The garden includes a greenhouse, planting shed and planting beds and is open all year round. Many projects have taken place since it opened 8 years ago, with an estimated 125 children spending time in the garden, either planting and potting or simply just taking in the calm surroundings.
Support worker Suzanne Prowse said: “Gardening as a form of exercise can help to release endorphins, the brain’s chemical that helps to make people feel satisfied and relaxed. I believe that the garden has had a huge impact on the both the mental health and wellbeing of the young people, as it helps to promote independence, builds confidence, and gives a sense of achievement when a young person completes a project.”
Here’s what some young people had to say about the garden:
“I like the garden as it is more creative and takes my mind of things.” – C.S
“The garden makes me feel really happy and I have a lot of fun!” – H.N
“I feel like I can communicate with people within the group in the garden, when I would have thought twice about it before.” – N.R
The below photos are all examples of projects carried out by the young people involved – great work all!
#childrensmentalhealthweek
