Expansion of Healing Programs for Socially Disadvantaged Groups
Suncheon City, South Jeolla Province (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced on the 11th that it will actively strengthen its garden therapy programs for socially disadvantaged groups.
To this end, starting this year, the city is launching its first garden therapy education program for individuals with mental and developmental disabilities in partnership with the Suncheon Disabled Welfare Center.
In addition to the existing program linked to the Suncheon Youth Mental Health Center, Suncheon City will expand garden therapy initiatives for socially disadvantaged groups.
The program will be held once a month in the garden, running for a total of 10 months from March to December.
In collaboration with the Suncheon Disabled Welfare Center, the city will select participants in need from local welfare centers and provide therapeutic activities in the garden to support their emotional stability and psychological recovery.
Main activities include horticultural therapy, sensory stimulation, and psychological stabilization, all based on interaction with nature.
Through this, the city aims to enable people with disabilities and those vulnerable to mental health issues to experience healing and relaxation in nature, while fostering an inclusive and sustainable culture of healing within the local community.
Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon stated, "A garden is more than just a place for rest; it is a special space where healing and recovery take place," adding, "I hope participants will experience gardens becoming an integral part of their lives, and that sustainable development where humans and nature coexist will be realized."
Meanwhile, last year the city operated a pilot garden therapy education program called 'Mind Gardening' four times, providing opportunities for healing and recovery for socially disadvantaged groups.
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