Blocking out the rabbit holes: Photovoice and community gardening as a healing space for veterans

Abstract

Gardening activities can offer a sense of calm, purpose, and self-worth and help improve physical and mental health, but research on these benefits within veteran populations is limited. In collaboration with a local garden, this Veterans Affairs (VA) program evaluation explored perceived benefits of gardening for veterans from two VA programs. Focus groups and photovoice methods revealed four main benefits of participation: supporting mental and emotional wellbeing, improving socialization and comradery, nurturing life and identity, and learning new skills. Findings align with VA's Whole Health (WH) approach, and support collaborations between community gardens and the VA to benefit veteran populations.

Keywords

• Veteran
• Photovoice
• Gardening
• Rehabilitation