In recent years, teachers and families have witnessed a growing number of adolescents facing mental health conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), depression, and anxiety. These conditions directly affect school performance, social interaction, and students’ overall well-being.
With this reality in mind, Elbânia Pereira de Cerqueira Medeiros, educator and Educational Administrative Assistant in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil), has developed an innovative initiative: the project Therapeutic Horticulture in Schools: Cultivating Mental Health with Edible, Medicinal, and Ornamental Plants.
The initiative will begin in a public high school in Gravatá, in Pernambuco’s countryside. Instituto Terra Viva do Brasil supports this project, which we present below and invite you to explore in detail by downloading the full PDF. We count on your contribution to make it a reality. If you can support it with supplies, technical knowledge, or donations, please get in touch or donate here.
A Garden That Cultivates Well-Being
The central idea of the project is to implement therapeutic gardens in schools, integrating edible, medicinal, and ornamental plants into the educational environment. More than green spaces, these gardens are designed as living classrooms and spaces of care.
The general objective is “to complement the care of students with mild to moderate physical and mental disorders in order to improve their physical, mental, and emotional health, thereby enhancing quality of life and academic performance”.
The project also sets specific goals:
- Provide students with opportunities to connect with nature as a form of holistic care.
- Encourage the use of edible, medicinal, ornamental, and endangered plants as tools for care, autonomy, and relaxation.
- Develop integrated practices of environmental education and mental health.
- Use the edible produce harvested to complement school meals.
- Raise awareness about environmental conservation and restoration.
Implementation and Expansion
The project is designed to grow step by step:
- Year 1: Pilot implementation in a public high school in Gravatá (Pernambuco), preferably one with unused land.
- Year 2: Students from the pilot school will be encouraged to share their knowledge with their families and communities. At the same time, replication will begin in other state schools in the municipality.
- Year 3: Expansion to state schools in other cities.
- Year 4: Sharing experiences with interested municipal schools.
- Year 5: Continuation of activities, analysis of results and challenges, and development of a new stage of the project.
The model emphasizes not only knowledge transmission but also knowledge multiplication. Students become agents of transformation in their families and neighborhoods, ensuring the benefits of the project extend beyond the school walls.
Why Therapeutic Horticulture?
Scientific evidence shows that direct contact with nature, especially through gardening, can bring important mental health benefits. Research indicates that gardening reduces stress, improves mood, and increases self-esteem. Microorganisms in the soil even stimulate the release of serotonin, acting as a natural antidepressant.
Gardening activities also help improve attention, memory, and executive functions, which are key aspects for students with ADHD and ASD. Plant care promotes mindfulness, socialization, and the development of emotional and motor skills, among other benefits.
Elbânia Medeiros adds: “The garden environment fosters active and interdisciplinary learning (biology, mathematics, geography, chemistry, arts, physics, among others). The pedagogy of Paulo Freire and the constructivist approach advocate for educational practices integrated into daily life, where knowledge emerges from the relationship with nature and the community.”
A broader vision
More than immediate results, the project conveys a holistic vision of education. As said by educator Dulce Sampaio, quoted by Medeiros in the proposal, “Education cannot be limited to training or mere information. It must be rethought and made to serve life, as well as human, social, and environmental fulfillment.”
Therapeutic horticulture offers a path to promote inclusion, social responsibility, and environmental awareness, while addressing one of today’s greatest challenges: young people’s mental health.
With therapeutic gardens, schools can become spaces where students not only learn but also flourish.
Download the Project and Collaborate
The full version of the project, with its scientific foundation, references, and detailed budget, is available for download here.
Would you like to contribute with ideas or supplies? Contact us at: [email protected]
If you wish to make a donation to support this project, make a transfer to our dedicated account:
Name of the account holder: INSTITUTO TERRA VIVA DO BRASIL
Address: RUA SILVEIRA LOBO-CXPST 582
City: Recife
Country: Brazil
Swift code: BRASBRRJSBO
Iban code: BR23000000000018500000321478C1