Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen

also shows that involvement in work activities gives people who have
suffered mental illness or psychiatric problems a feeling of recovery (see,
for example, Michon, 2006).
Employment for individuals with mental illness gives opportunities for
them to participate in society as active citizens (Boardman, 2003). Work
and employment are very important in the context of mental health
problems, because the overwhelming majority of people with such
problems want to be engaged in some kind of meaningful activity that
uses their skills and meets the expectations of others (Grove, 1999; Secker
et al, 2001; Boardman, 2003). Work is crucial for people with mental
health problems, as they are especially sensitive to the negative effects of
unemployment and the associated loss of structure, purpose and identity
(Bennett, 1970). Already socially excluded as a result of their mental health
problems, their exclusion is aggravated by unemployment.
Bennett (1970), Jahoda (1982), Warr (1987), Shephard (1989) and
Boardman (2003) list some of the social-psychological functions of work
for people with or without mental health problems:
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Work structures the time usefully; it provides contrast in time
experience and gives meaning to things such as spare time and
holidays.
Work gives a social identity and status; social contacts and support.
It gives an opportunity to develop skills and it prevents the development
of secondary disabilities.
It shows that people need each other, that people have a collective goal
and that there is mutual dependency.
It forces people to activity; it provides a sense of personal achievement,
gives the opportunity to become physically tired and results in a better
physical condition,
Work is something you do for other people. By contrast, in most leisure
activities you can please yourself.
It is not true that every work situation has these positive functions. On the
contrary, each work situation has characteristics that offer opportunities or
limitations (Warr, 1987). According to Warr’s ‘vitamin model’, a deficiency
78 Green Care: A Conceptual Framework