A new $230,000 rooftop garden is open at The Moncton Hospital to enhance the wellness of patients admitted to psychiatric units.
Chief of Psychiatry Dr. Dinesh Bhalla says one third of the treatment for many psychiatric disorders is a healthy lifestyle.
“This is a space that’s going to give them a place to come and rest, to be one with their thoughts [and] feelings without having to use medication,” says Dr. Bhalla.
He adds this space will enhance patients’ hope that they have a life beyond their illness.
The garden will allow patients to enjoy therapeutic, recreational and physical activities, and will also be used for group educational sessions, including wellness, relaxation and peer support.
He adds spending time in the sun with fresh air surrounded by plants helps patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and even the early stages of psychosis.
Dr. Bhalla says the non-smoking garden will encourage a healthier lifestyle.
“Nicotine metabolizes the psychotropic medications quicker, because we’ve seen smoking can reduce the effect of medication by almost 60% with some of the medications,” says Dr. Bhalla.
Some of the flower elements at the new rooftop garden at The #Moncton Hospital
Aug 14, 2017 at 8:23am PDT
Dr. Bhalla admits this has been a long time coming, and has taken more than a few years to get off the ground, and patients have been excited about the opening for weeks.
The garden is on the third floor, and is for patients admitted to the Provincial Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit (PCAPU), Youth Wellness Unit (YWU) or the Adult Psychiatry Unit.
The garden construction, renovations, materials and labour was funded entirely by The Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation.
Before and after photos of the new rooftop garden at the #Moncton Hospital
Aug 14, 2017 at 6:41am PDT
