It was chilly on this midday Wednesday in January, but the crowd and on-campus greenhouse were warm and inviting.
The American Association for Women in Community Colleges hosted a “Plants for Mental Health” gathering on Jan. 22 in the greenhouse on LBCC’s Albany campus. The event was for those interested in learning how plants affect mental health, featuring the opportunity to put together their own indoor office planter. There were two soup options with rolls to enjoy while LBCC counselor Jana Svoboda spoke to about 20 people.
Lena Spencer, executive vice president of AAWCC’s LBCC chapter, invited Svoboda to speak. There was a good turnout with optimistic energy as everyone was ready for a mental boost to get through the doldrums of cold winter-term homework.
Svoboda started off by having attendees use the metaphor of a plant to write down what keeps them grounded (“roots”), what uplifts them (branches or leaves) and what contains them (soil/planter). She then had them share one of these factors with the rest of the group.
A lot of people responded that their faith keeps them grounded or uplifted. Others said family, gardening, hiking, bird feeders, and music. Svoboda then spoke about how when we put our hands in the soil, our brains release serotonin. This is what the body does to feel good, calm, and safe.
Svoboda talked about how lives have beginnings, hardships, growth and endings. She told a personal story about how she recently went to help a friend. Her friend’s son was dying and she went to the hospital to spend time holding his hand. Even though he was on life support, she held his hand while telling him how much he was loved.
This gave her exhausted friend a break to get some much needed rest. The young man had been fighting drug addiction. He tried to break its grip on his life but his body succumbed. She said she knew his spirit was still good, and she was heartbroken to see him leave this world and that the cycle of life includes both beginnings and endings.
His breathing was getting slower but they could feel how tense his body was so they started to sing to him. His body relaxed and slowly and peacefully passed away.
Svoboda’s audience at LBCC became quiet and a few people held hands while some wiped away tears. Many took deep breaths; the importance of the meeting was understood.
Svoboda and Spencer encouraged attendees to pick out a pot and base. There were stickers on each table with thoughtful sayings to put on the planters. Participants had a choice of spider plants or succulents, with each getting a different soil. Then everyone got their hands dirty, bringing smiles to their faces.
Jana Svoboda provides crisis, short-term counseling, mental health and wellness resources and information to students. She also does mental health promotion and training throughout LBCC.
24/7 Resources
- LBCC Mental Health Crisis Line: 541-917-4666
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call, text, chat)
- Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 or text at 838255
- CARDV (Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence): 541-754-0110
- For an immediate health/safety risk, call 911, then LBCC Public Safety at 541-926-6855
