Seocho-gu Healing Garden Supports Emotional Stability & Health for Families in Crisis

Customized Project for Crisis Families with Complex Issues, 'Healthy Family Garden Cultivation'... Emotional Stability Recovery for 11 Households Experiencing Emotional Crisis Due to Mental Illnesses Such as Depression and Schizophrenia

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu is implementing the "2021 Healthy Family Garden Cultivation Project" to provide psychological and emotional support to households experiencing complex crises such as mental illness, alcohol dependence, and chronic diseases within the local community.

Running until November, this project aims to help 11 case-managed households facing complex crises cultivate pesticide-free vegetables, allowing them to heal in nature and achieve emotional stability.

Through this project, the district helps families who have endured a lonelier and more difficult stay-at-home life due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic by offering them a wider space to come out, breathe, sweat, and enjoy the joy of harvesting, thereby aiding in emotional recovery.

Additionally, by providing healthy meals with pesticide-free vegetables to families in crisis and sharing fresh harvests with neighbors, the project supports social relationship restoration and self-reliance.

The project is conducted at a weekend farm located in Wonji-dong, Seocho-gu, where the farm manager personally guides and thoroughly instructs participants on the process of cultivating the garden.

The manager also serves as a life mentor, offering advice as a senior who has overcome long hardships in life, providing courage and strength to many households.

Ms. Choi**, who had suffered from depression and sleep disorders due to her husband's business failure and long-term caregiving, said, "I used to be very angry alone in difficult situations, but after visiting the garden, I feel so much at ease. My husband also eagerly looks forward to the days we go to the garden together each week." She added, "I am happy to prepare meals with pesticide-free vegetables for my husband who is recovering after cancer treatment," expressing her gratitude to Seocho-gu Office.

The twin sisters Jung**, who have suffered from severe schizophrenia amid family discord and parental absence since childhood, said in bright and cheerful voices, almost singing together, "Since participating in this project, whenever we have time, we come out to the garden to get some fresh air and make potato pancakes with the harvested potatoes, which has greatly alleviated our depression," expressing their thanks.

Seocho-gu is also receiving great responses from residents by implementing one-on-one customized projects suited to the COVID-19 era, such as the "Clean Care Project Expansion," "Horticultural Therapy Program," "Worry Resolution Project," and "Hope Mentoring Project with Lawyers."

Jo Eun-hee, Mayor of Seocho-gu, stated, "We will continue to develop and expand safe and diverse customized welfare services to help families in crisis achieve self-reliance and strive to improve residents' welfare awareness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.