Collaborative design: outdoor environments for veterans with PTSD

Abstract

Purpose -Providing veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their families, and staff opportunities to experience physical and mental restoration in outdoor environments designed based on evidence is important. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between evidence-based collaborative design of outdoor environments and their potential capacity to contribute to a veteran's journey to wellness. Design/methodology/approach -There is no existing precedent in the peer-reviewed literature linking positive health outcomes associated with outdoor environments to veterans with PTSD. This review of the literature is conceptualized as a means to extrapolate these benefits to this unique population. Findings -Access to nature improves physiological and psychological health outcomes. A collaborative design approach ensures that design outcomes meet specific populations' needs. Practical implications -Many service-members are reluctant to seek traditional treatments for PTSD, fearing threat to future military service and limited available resources. Alternative treatments, access to sensitively designed outdoor environments and/or a re-examination of traditional treatments and the environments in which they are provided supports best practice approaches to ameliorating the debilitating effects of this disorder. Social implications -An integrated design approach blending the skills of landscape architecture and occupational therapy is key to achieve design outcomes that support the healing process to meet the needs of this vulnerable population. Originality/value -An inter and/or trans-disciplinary team approach to design and programming of outdoor environments for veterans with PTSD blends landscape architecture with occupational therapy to ensure both form and function are achieved, thus positing positive health outcomes.

Whatever happened to the soldiers? Nature-assisted therapies for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder: A literature review

“…Some authors do not organize the setting or use a specially designed garden, but rather use existing natural environments as a "place for relief from pain, places to assist the struggle" (Anderson, 2011, p. 55) "and search the psychological benefits of spending time in nature (Krasny et al, 2012, p. 5). Wagenfeld et al (2013) emphasize that a collaborative design process where design outcomes meet specific populations' needs, is needed to further develop the field. Cooper-Marcus and Sachs (2013) mention the need for flexibility in the design of the garden, so it can be changed in relation to the soldiers' needs, whose trauma can be reactivated if the colours, sounds or planting remind them of the war zone.…”

Engaging Student Veterans in Meaningful Service-Learning Experiences: A Practical Guide

“…Any service-learning experience may prove beneficial to a student veteran participant, but there seems to be something uniquely beneficial about situating the service in an outdoor environment. While being outdoors contributes to positive effects on veterans-particularly those who may struggle with post-traumatic stress (Wagenfield, Roy-Fisher. & Mitchell, 2013)-veterans who participated in just a six-day wilderness experience in Australia showed an "increase in selfreported wellbeing and mental health" following the activity-based program which included opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions (Bird, 2015).…”

Environmental Considerations for Trauma‐Responsive Juvenile and Family Courts: A Review of the Literature with Recommendations for Practice

“…Natural lighting, trees, greenery, and green spaces in general, are linked to improved positive health outcomes, and social cohesion (Ekkel & de Vries, ). Wagenfeld, Roy‐Fisher, and Mitchell () found that access to nature, particularly nature areas developed through a collaborative process, improved physical and mental health outcomes for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Other researchers (e.g., Owens, ; Kaplan & Kaplan, ) have explored the characteristics of natural space that are valued by teenagers and others and that promote restoration and other positive health outcomes.…”