Tending to Your Mental Ecosystem

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden believes that nature nurtures. As important as it is to tend to your garden, it is equally important to care for your mental health. Join Ben Rainey, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) as he examines the basics of mental health and what “mental health” means – the interaction of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, health, relationships and environment like the interactivity of an ecosystem. He will also discuss what both healthy and unhealthy versions of these interactions look like, and how to care for them. Specific ideas about caring for one’s mental health will be provided using techniques based on nature engagement.

Classroom lecture/discussion will be followed by a mindful walk outside, enabling everyone to try out newfound knowledge. Participants will take home handouts visualizing what was learned, making it easy to try these ideas in daily life.