global direct and indirect economic costs of
The review from the 7-question survey,
mental disorders were 2.5 trillion dollars.
completed by 151 individuals between
This equates to the direct cost of mental
October 15 - December 7th, 2020,
health services being $0.8 trillion dollars and
concluded the following results
the indirect costs being $1.7 trillion dollars.
98% of all individuals gardened in some form
The authors detail that both direct and
67% of individuals gardened at-home only
indirect costs of mental disorders are projected to double by 2030. This
When combined, 84% of individuals strongly agree and agree that COVID-19 is stressful for them.
assessment by Trautmann et al was When combined, 96% of individuals strongly
conducted prior to COVID-19. One can assume that these projected figures could be
agree and agree that COVID-19 is stressful for people.
amplified when factoring in the coronavirus
When combined, 97% of individuals strongly
disease and its impact on mental and
agree and agree that gardening during
physical wellness. Not only does mental
COVID-19 helps reduce their negative stress
illness cause tremendous economic cost, but
levels.
it also creates productivity loss for substantial economic growth.
When combined, 98% of individuals strongly agree and agree that gardening during COVID-19 helps them develop a positive sense of mental health.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell reports that one-third of US workers have
When combined, 92% of individuals strongly agree and agree that gardening during
high-stress levels. This can burden
COVID-19 helps them develop a positive
employers in the form of rising absenteeism,
sense of physical health.
low worker productivity, and increased
When combined, 82% of individuals strongly
health care costs, equating to more than
agree and agree that gardening during
300 billion dollars a year in costs. The National Institute for Occupational Safety
COVID-19 helps them develop a positive sense of social well-being.
and Health wrote in the Stress At Work Booklet that “job stress is the source of
COVID-19 challenges the social resiliency of
more health complaints than financial or
individuals around the world, testing our
family problems.” In The Health Benefits of
overall well-being. As of March 2021, John
Small Parks and Green Spaces, noted
Hopkins University’s Center for System
research social scientist Dr. Kathleen Wolf
Science and Engineering reports 115 million
describes that “the experience of nature is
global cases and 2.5 million global deaths.
one antidote to stress, and the body’s
These challenges can amplify stress factors
positive response is remarkably fast,
on communities. To slow the transmission of
occurring within minutes. Studies by
COVID-19, the center health officials
environmental psychologists show that
recommend a stay-at-home order and the
visual exposure to nature, in the form of
increased practice of social distancing. As
trees, grass, and flowers, can effectively
important as these recommendations are,
reduce stress, particularly if initial stress
stress factors, if not addressed in a healthy
levels are high.”
manner, can translate into chronic traumas. Gardening is one of the many ways to work
To explore the possible relationship between
through the stresses of the pandemic.
gardening and stress mitigation during the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with Dr. Owen
For more information please contact:
Lynch of Southern Methodist University and
Dominic Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer
a survey design team to formulate and
MA in Sustainability & Development
distribute a 7-question survey.
ddominguez@gardopiagardens.org