The New Leaf Gardeners Horticultural Vocational program at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Ewing Township supports recovery from mental illness. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Lauren DePrado)
The New Leaf Gardener Program is one of several therapeutic and vocational training opportunities available to clients at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.
The New Leaf Gardeners Horticultural Vocational program at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Ewing Township supports recovery from mental illness, improves outlook and life satisfaction, helps clients to cope with and recover from stress, improves concentration and sense of accomplishment. Evidenced-based research demonstrates that simply viewing plants has been shown to reduce fear, anger, blood pressure and muscle tension.
The New Leaf Gardener Program (NLG) is one of several therapeutic and vocational training opportunities available to clients at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. This specific program began in 2011, but the tradition of gardening at the hospital goes back before World War I and even the Civil War.
The 400-bed Trenton Psychiatric Hospital is a Joint Commission accredited health care facility, one of four psychiatric hospitals governed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
N.J. Agriculture bringing vocation and meaning to mental illness through a “New Leaf”. Special thanks to Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas Fisher, and Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly, and staff at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.
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