Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
TAUNTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A patient-run farmers market in the greenhouse of Taunton State Hospital is giving some people a different outlook on mental health.
While it’s been around for about 100 years, the greenhouse has seen new life thanks to a new program. Director of Rehabilitation, Rachel Kline, said she wants the public to mingle with patients running the market.
“We knew that we wanted to draw attention to our greenhouse because our patients work here, and want the community to be involved with what we do here,” said Kline. “The farmers market was just a way to generate more attention.”
Since then, hundreds have flooded through the doors to peek at the selection of goods and meet some of the market workers. Tables were lined with fresh plants and flowers, along with sections stocked with mental health resources and information for interested patrons.
Glenda Hazard with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, says the main idea is to break down the negative stigmas surrounding mental health and its patients.
“A lot of people have misconceptions about what a mental health facility is like, and what people with mental health issues are like. They’re no different than anybody else,” said Hazard.
Along with spreading awareness, the patients also get paid for their work and develop skills for when they leave the facility. Patients are paid minimum wage while averaging about three to four hours a week working in the greenhouse.
Aside from the greenhouse, the hospital also offers other workforce training, like cooking and computer skills.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.