As part of the support provided in the area of Psychiatry, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Rehabilitation, there are several vegetable gardens and small orchards that are located on the land attached to the Casa de Saúde de São João de Deus, whose maintenance is part of a patient therapeutic initiative.
This Wednesday, the Regional Director of Agriculture and Rural Development visited the Casa de Saúde facilities, where he learned about the importance of the various gardens tended by the institution.
According to a press release, Marco Caldeira, accompanied by the institution director, Eduardo Lemos, learned about the significant contribution of these spaces to the psychosocial rehabilitation and personal development of hospitalised individuals, as well as the need that this non-profit institution has in the technical intervention of the services under its purview, namely in pruning and grafting of trees, as well as in the fight against the Cochineal disease that affects dwarf trees.
At the end of the visit, Marco Caldeira praised the relevant work carried out by the Casa de Saúde de São João de Deus, ensuring the availability of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide all the necessary support for the maintenance of the vegetable gardens and orchards located in the upper area of Santo António.
Gardening has been heralded as a natural benefit to those suffering from mental health problems, especially in the UK.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
