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European Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing in the 21st Century pp 195–210Cite as

Unearthing the Theoretical Underpinnings of “Green Care” in Mental Health and Substance Misuse Care: History, Theoretical Origins, and Contemporary Clinical Examples

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Abstract

The concept of ‘Green Care’ can increasingly be found in mental health and addictions literature, and some psychiatric/mental health nurses are practicing in facilities who base their approach on some or all underpinning theoretical elements of Green Care. However, ‘Green Care’ is not yet widely considered to be part of mainstream psychiatry. Unearthing and articulating its theoretical underpinnings and clinical applications may further advance its legitimacy. Accordingly, this chapter identifies four principle theoretical elements of Green Care: connectedness, contact with nature, benefits of exercise, and occupation/work as therapeutic, each of which is explored and articulated by drawing on relevant literature.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Such as the “cabbage soup diet” of the 1990s, the use of magnets for joint pain, or routine colonic irrigations or enemas—none of which have a robust scientific evidence base.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cutcliffe Consulting, Kingston, Canada

    John R. Cutcliffe

  2. School of Nursing, Coimbra, Portugal

    John R. Cutcliffe

  3. Healthcare Manager, Chiron Health Services, Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, British Columbia, Canada

    Rodger Travale

Authors
  1. John R. Cutcliffe
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  2. Rodger Travale
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Correspondence to John R. Cutcliffe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra, Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    José Carlos Santos

  2. Cutcliffe Consulting, Kingston, Canada

    John R. Cutcliffe

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Cutcliffe, J.R., Travale, R. (2018). Unearthing the Theoretical Underpinnings of “Green Care” in Mental Health and Substance Misuse Care: History, Theoretical Origins, and Contemporary Clinical Examples. In: Santos, J., Cutcliffe, J. (eds) European Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing in the 21st Century. Principles of Specialty Nursing. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31772-4_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31772-4_15

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