On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
The topical issue of mental health is explored in this garden of two parts, which conveys the journey through depression to acceptance
Show Gardens
![On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden](/getmedia/8bf8b9e8-a0e6-4dc3-b038-8ffd31b27668/_V0P0369.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
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On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
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On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
![On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden](/getmedia/ec28293e-5c42-4adf-9873-93bf97fa6e8e/_V0P0354.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
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On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
![On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden](/getmedia/8bf8b9e8-a0e6-4dc3-b038-8ffd31b27668/_V0P0369.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
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On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
![undefined](/getmedia/cd422a85-2689-478b-82d3-a26de9fdbbd5/_V0P0361.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
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On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
![On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden](/getmedia/ec28293e-5c42-4adf-9873-93bf97fa6e8e/_V0P0354.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
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On The Edge: The Centre for Mental Health Garden
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Did you know...
- Designer Frederic Whyte drew on his own background to create the design - 'It's been a cathartic experience building this garden,' he says
- The darker and lighter sides of depression are conveyed by planting, with grey foliage representing a sense of emptiness, evolving into more colourful borders
- There are two small pools: one containing fragmented glass that gives broken reflections to show the fragile state of a depressed mind, the second pool is clearer with a single reflection, conveying a sense of calm
About the Garden
This allegorical garden tells the tale of a journey from mental ill-health to acceptance. The garden creates a physical evocation of the journeys people take to manage their condition.It is entered via a narrow path, cutting through a spiky planting scheme. A tall hedge exacerbates feelings of claustrophobia. The visitor is led towards an uncomfortably steep staircase into a shady and disorienting space. Venturing on, they step out to an increasingly broad, open staircase, leading down into a therapeutic space beside a reflective pool.
Surrounded by a gentle, optimistic planting scheme, the space alludes to the hope of a new start in life.
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