Research on Forest Therapy for Substance Recovery
I am in grad school at the University of NH for a degree in Therapeutic Recreation Administration, and part of the program is to participate in research. I designed a study that was meaningful to me and that I feel would help people. But I am also creating a program that is not currently offered....so I have to find my own way to fund it.
Basically I want to know how Forest Therapy helps adults in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) aka Addiction (but that's not the term anymore). Forest Therapy is the practice of using natural spaces for the purposes of enhancing health, wellness and happiness. It is a researched-based framework that has proven health benefits with the principles they teach, but there is little to no research on the impact it has on SUD recovery, so I feel compelled to start. If you want to know more about Forest Therapy, which you should because it's awesome, check out this website:
https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/
The study will consist of 10 guided walks starting in September through November. I am partnered with a recovery organization in Dover, NH. In order to protect the identity of the participants, the organization will remain anonymous.
What I need money for:
1. Paying the Forest Therapist for 10 sessions @ $225/session, plus travel from Boston, MA, to Strafford County, NH
2. Providing the 5-10 participants with compensation for full participation in the study, in the form of a $100 gift card to the Dover Natural Marketplace. Too much? I thought about that....a lot.... I have my reasons for the price and place and if you would like to know why before donating, please do not hesitate to contact me.
So basically, excluding travel for the Forest Therapist, I am looking at $3,250 to run the program. But something always comes up, so I am asking for $4,300 to prepare for any random surprises, and the guide's travels of course.
*******If there is any money left over (which I am expecting), it will be donated to the recovery org. Even if I receive more than my goal, the extra will be donated.***********
Ideally, this study is going to go really well and help some people and then I can use that data to prove why I should receive grant money to create more programs like it. If you can't donate, at least pray for that outcome, because if you know anyone who has gone through recovery, it's hard, and I truly feel this is going to help make it easier. I believe it so much that I am going out on an "academic limb" to research it. Because screw this drug epidemic and the revolving door that currently is the recovery process.
Also, if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them, just reach out.