My goal is to create a healthcare environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. I’m dedicated to making sure everyone has access to quality care, and that their voices and needs are heard. By fostering kindness, teamwork, and new ideas, I want to help our diverse community thrive and improve health for everyone. 

 

Horticultural therapy has great potential, especially with the growing need for mental health support and the aging population. However, there are challenges, like limited awareness, lack of clear standards, and competition from other therapies. There are also many opportunities to grow in areas such as corporate wellness programs, digital health, and sustainability. By increasing awareness, expanding training, and partnering with healthcare and businesses, we can overcome these challenges and take advantage of new opportunities. 

 

The global market for horticultural therapy is growing steadily, driven by a rising focus on mental health, the benefits of nature, and wellness programs. The wellness market, which includes plant-based therapies, was valued at over $20.77 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach $40.24 billion by 2026 (Global Market Estimates, 2024). 

Survey results show that 80% of respondents aren’t currently interested in joining a group focused on plant therapy. Some have tried traditional therapy, while others haven’t. One person is thinking about starting therapy, which could be a sign of openness to exploring new forms of mental health support. It’s also encouraging that three out of five women were already familiar with plant therapy. 

 

I’m focusing on college students who are members of the Divine Nine, the historically Black fraternities and sororities. These students, usually between 18 and 25 years old, are typically very involved in their education and campus community, with a higher percentage of women due to the number of sororities. 

 

To see how well our horticultural therapy program is working, we’ll use Google surveys to gather feedback from participants. This will help us understand what people like and what could be improved. 

If the results aren’t what we hoped for, we’ll review the feedback, figure out what’s not working, and make changes to better meet the needs of the community.