2017 ASHS Annual Conference

The mental health of the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces is an area of great concern in the United States. Furthermore, studies have shown the mental health of university students is also a concern with a growing need for support services and prevention measures. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of participation in prescribed greenhouse activities on the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of university students who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Participants completed a pre- and post 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) survey, along with a questionnaire designed to capture participants’ socio-demographic information and information regarding their military service history. The study included a control group and a treatment group. The treatment consisted of a six-week indoor plant care program. Results presented show the value of therapeutic exercises using plants and greenhouse spaces to veterans and students in managing stress, anxiety, and depression.