A psychiatric center in Ghent, Belgium, is revitalizing its expansive garden, spanning more than 3,000 square meters, in an effort to enhance patient well-being. The project underscores a growing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of nature for individuals receiving mental health care.
The Gent-Sleidinge Psychiatric Center is undertaking a complete renewal and replanting of the garden, located in the city’s center. “Contact with nature does patients good,” according to a statement released by the center. The renovation aims to create a more welcoming and restorative environment for those in treatment.
The garden project comes as mental health facilities increasingly prioritize outdoor spaces as integral components of care. The move reflects a broader trend toward incorporating natural elements into healthcare settings to promote healing and reduce stress.
This initiative follows other recent developments concerning psychiatric facilities in Belgium. In November 2023, Belgian police searched for two men who escaped from a psychiatric center in Ghent, warning the public not to approach them due to their history of violent offenses. In 2020, a hostage situation occurred at the Forensic Psychiatric Center in Antwerp, raising concerns about staffing levels.
While standards for animal enclosures in Belgian zoos are set to increase starting in 2029, requiring larger spaces for animals like tigers and polar bears, the focus on improved environments extends to human care facilities as well.
