00:00Since April 2025, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has received nearly 30,000 referrals for adult mental health
00:07support, which is 4.6% higher than planned.
00:11I spoke to GP Dr Julian Spinks to find out more about these rising mental health rates.
00:16We have very definitely seen a rise in mental health problems in recent years.
00:21We are getting to a point where traditional mental health services are becoming overwhelmed by the number of people.
00:27So we have to find ways of tackling this. And for many people, the best approach is not to take
00:32antidepressants.
00:33It's better to look at other things and things like community gardens and gardening is one of those things you
00:39can do.
00:40It doesn't take a scientist or a doctor to tell you that you feel better.
00:45You feel more relaxed, looking at beautiful flowers or in my case, weeds.
00:50All of those things go to a general sense of well-being.
00:53And then finally, we have a social effect. Loneliness has the equivalent effect for about 15 cigarettes a day on
01:01people's life expectancy and illness.
01:03So actually putting people in a place where they get to know other people can make a big difference.
01:08But let's see in action. I spoke to the volunteers at Kent Community Oasis Garden to find out what it
01:14is about gardening that helps them personally with their mental health.
01:16It's definitely helped my mental health and well-being. Just adding that into my weekly routine, it's so easy to
01:24forget that the world is a lot bigger than grades or work.
01:28So if you're thinking of joining a community garden, do it. It's like the most welcoming space I've ever been
01:34in. And you'll learn a lot.
01:36My mental health has improved a lot since like starting. When I'm coming here regularly, it feels very good because
01:45I'm not just like locked in my room and I'm talking with people.
01:49I think a gardening project is such a great way of connecting with the people around you and such a
01:55great way to make friends and learn things.
01:59Like it's been proven that spending time outside and getting your hands in soil is so beneficial for us.
02:05And yeah, it's definitely had such a positive impact on so many people who come and spend time here.
02:11And being here in the Garden of England, you never have to go far to get some fresh air.
02:17Alia Pritchard for KMTV in Canterbury.
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