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Gardening Helping Homeless Veterans with Mental Disabilities Heal

According to an article in The Ozaukee Press, the Organic Therapy Program for Homeless Veterans attempts to help homeless veterans, who are mentally struggling, through gardening.

The program recognizes U.S. veterans, who are returning from combat, face multiple issues, and it attempts to provide help through a supportive and constructive environment. Many veterans have reported feeling a “shock to [their] system” because they’re no longer in combat. This leaves them unable to connect to society and, as a result, many find themselves homeless.

One of the basic tenets of the program is to help veterans eat a more balanced diet, since the average diet of a homeless person consists solely of high-fat foods and very few, if any, vegetables. Changing the diet for most people is an uphill battle; however, once a veteran has planted their own seed in the garden, most tend to come back to tend to their project.

Working in a garden isn’t only good exercise, it provides a very calming environment in which to talk. It also gives them a place to go as the garden is attached to a local shelter. It also gives them more time to meet with people and talk openly about problems they are having.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.