ORLANDO, Fla. — More people are seeing their mental health needs go untreated, according to Mental Health America (MHA), and the latest report ranks Florida 49th in the nation for access to care.

However, some therapists are trying to expand and prioritize certain treatments for patients. The Victim Service Center’s (VSC) “Passion Flower Project” puts clients recovering from domestic violence and crime in an atmosphere of growth — quite literally.

Inside the tranquil garden at Orlando’s VSC is the place where client Terry Ern prefers to be.

“It’s a happy place for me to be out in the garden and watch things grow, seeing change,” Ern said.

Her love for gardening is rooted in personal growth, something she’s working on through the therapy sessions provided at VSC. Over two years, Ern said she’s made some real progress dealing with past sexual assaults.

Ern said abuse she faced as a child continued into her teen years, when she first sought help through counseling.

“I had a lot of shame and embarrassment because of what was happening to me when I was young,” Ern said.

But now she is thriving.

Victim advocate and crisis counselor Steven Wilson created the Passion Flower Project, and it’s obvious to see his own passion for gardening reflected in his office.

“Our thoughts influence our feelings,” Wilson said.

It’s a way to bring happiness and light, and control, into mind.

But with a lot more clients in need, Wilson said wait times for nonemergency therapy sessions at his office run about two weeks out.

He is not alone. Mental health centers across the state have seen a surge in demand, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Florida, an average of about 1,343 adults await treatment each month, according to Mental Health of America. That need is a concern in a state in which 17% of adults have some type of mental health concern, MHA said.

“Even though it’s not over, a lot more domestic violence was happening,” Wilson said. “There’s a suspicion that it was always happening. It just got worse."

That also means there’s a lot more gardening to do. 

Ern takes both emotional healing and passion for planting back home with her, passing on her wisdom to her young granddaughter.

“I mean, she’s growing up in a world that can be really hard,” Ern said.

“No matter what occurs in life, however bad it may be, what’s inside of your heart doesn’t change. That nothing really, truly has the power to kill the love that lives inside of you.”

That’s been possible for her to realize, in part, thanks to the special outlet for healing she’s found in gardening therapy.