In a corner of the Doctor Rodríguez Lafora Psychiatric Center, a small green revolution is underway. Patients in the Long-Term Psychiatric Care Unit immerse themselves in the Occupational Therapy program, transforming land and lives through the cultivation of vegetables and fruits.
This project, which has flourished for the second consecutive year, goes beyond simply harvesting cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants, or melons. Its essence lies in fostering well-being, self-esteem, and social skills, as highlighted by the professionals who lead it. Here, the growth of the plants is synonymous with personal and collective progress, in an environment where there is no room for competition, only for cooperation.
Contact with nature becomes a silent and effective therapy for people with severe mental disorders. By observing the natural cycle of plants, the participants learn about dedication, effort, perseverance, and patience; values that transcend the garden and are integrated into their daily lives.
The project not only impacts those who directly participate in cultivation. Curiosity and interest extend even to those patients who are not involved, fostering an environment of community and mutual support. This therapeutic garden is a living example of how cultivation can also be a path to personal and community care.
Dr. Rodríguez Lafora has managed to create more than just a space for cultivation; he has given rise to an ecosystem of health and cooperation, where every new sprout is a reminder that to cultivate is, in essence, a form of caring.
