The second activity within the September cooperation with the PHI Psychiatric Hospital Skopje was focused on the hospital’s professional staff and patients, with a particular emphasis on immediately applying the acquired knowledge in practice.

The professional staff participated in a training on applying the principles of green social work in their everyday work with people experiencing mental health challenges. The training focused on understanding the connection between the environment, mental health and well-being, as well as developing practical activities that can be adapted to the different needs of patients.

Following the theoretical part, the knowledge was directly put into practice together with the patients. Evergreen trees were planted in the hospital yard, and part of the recreational area was arranged. In this way, one concrete green activity became an opportunity for joint work, activation, cooperation and improvement of the immediate environment.

Additionally, training on horticultural therapy with patients was conducted, focusing on how working with plants, planting and caring for greenery can be used as structured activities when working with users. Within the training methodology, such activities are associated with developing routine, responsibility, attention, communication, social interaction and a sense of achievement.

Through this activity, work was undertaken to create a practical model that the professional staff can continue applying in their everyday work with patients.

The initiative is part of the project “ZZZ – Together for Green Advocacy for Environmental Protection”, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in North Macedonia/Swiss Government through Civica Mobilitas, in partnership with CMA KRIK, Center for Social Initiatives “Nadez” and the Association of Social Workers of Macedonia (ZSRM).

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