cultivating hope
Mental illness is at epidemic levels in Canada. Without an intervention young adults with mental illness are at significantly higher risk of substance abuse, unemployment, hospitalization, homelessness and incarceration. Worst of all suicide is now the second leading cause of death for young adults in Canada, because when someone is in the despair of a mental health crisis, tragically taking their own life can sometimes seem like the only way out.
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How did we get here, and how do we help our struggling super feelers find hope?
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Cracks Are Where the Light Gets In
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Expanding on the metaphor made popular by Dr. Boyce, let us examine the strengths of both the orchid and dandelion child.
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We are all familiar with the yellow flower known as the dandelion, many people consider them to be weeds because they have the capacity to thrive in any type of environmental conditions, even a crack in the cement. Dr. Boyce theorizes that 80% of our offspring are ‘dandelion children’ — biologically resilient because their genes protect them from environmental assault.
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Orchid children, on the other hand, are super feelers and are extremely susceptible to their environment. However in his book Dr. Boyce says that “the extraordinary, biologically embedded sensitivities that render such children so unduly susceptible to the hazards and adversities of life, also make them more receptive to the gifts and promises of life.”
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In other words, because their super sensitivity makes them unusually responsive to their environment, orchid children are also amazingly successful when exposed to nurturing environments.
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Within this juxtaposition lies an intriguing, and life-giving, secret: Within the frailty of an orchid child lies hidden capacities for lives of extraordinary beauty, honesty and notable achievement that can surpass the accomplishments of the dandelion child. Without super feelers there would be far fewer artists, deep thinkers, or people working in healing professions.
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From Surviving to Thriving
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Super feelers experience emotions — their own and others’ — with greater depth and intensity. They are easily overwhelmed, need lots of downtime, absorb other people’s moods, and are super sensitive to criticism and perceived threats.
Introducing the Wildflower School of Life program, where we will embrace the healing power of horticultural therapy in order to create a safe container for our super feelers who are struggling to survive discover their super powers.
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Why a wildflower? Because they combine the delicate beauty of an orchid with the tenacity of a dandelion, which allows them to thrive in the countryside.​ The Wildflower School of Life program will be designed to support young adults on their recovery journey, equipping them with the essential ingredients for personal growth enabling them to move from surviving to thriving.
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Becoming By Belonging
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Mental health experts agree that programs offering clinical care, social bonding, and skill development opportunities within a rural, non-institutional setting profoundly improves the lives of young adults struggling with mental illness and those in recovery from addiction. The success of this model is founded on something known as 'becoming by belonging', where people with shared life experiences are brought together in a caring community creating a non-judgmental work environment.
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The Wildflower School of Life will begin operating as a communal farming day program for young adults between the ages of 18-35 who need a supportive community while they navigate their healing journey. We will help our super feelers rebuild what was torn down by mental illness and addiction, and cultivate well-being and resilience by following the best practices established by horticultural therapeutic programs already in existence, such as Bridewell Gardens located in the English countryside.
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Hope Grows
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Since its formation in 1994, Bridewell’s day program supports adults — called ‘gardeners’ — recover from serious mental illness and addiction. At Bridewell gardeners rebuild their lives by identifying their strengths and are supported as they work towards identifying active roles they can play in their community. Service users attend the program attend the program a couple of days per week for 1-2 years, and in 2023 36% of gardeners leaving Bridewell moved on to paid and voluntary employment, and an additional 28% moved on in a planned way with social support or other regular activities in place.
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Testimonials from Bridewell Gardeners
“I’m not good at socializing with others, but as time went on I began to feel part of a group. We all had our struggles and for me knowing I was not on my own anymore helped.”
“Bridewell is my reason to get up in the morning. It is the cornerstone to my week — without it I would be lost. It is a place where I can express myself and feel more normal.”
“Bridewell has been the most amazing community to be part of. I enjoyed working amongst a diverse group of people I might not have ever normally got to meet. They’re all really good people who have had a hard time but are pushing through it in a very brave way.”