GV Health peer support worker Bek McMurrich said they were building a new sensory garden on the Wanyarra grounds through a collaboration with Bunnings Shepparton.
‘‘It will have water features, plants and more which is all designed to stimulate their senses,’’ she said.
Wanyarra nurse unit manager Melinda Roffey said patients could use the facilities at any time that were aimed at helping them to relax.
‘‘It gives them a sense of empowerment,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s a place they can come to relax and hopefully it will help them with relaxation.’’
This was something Ms McMurrich could relate to, having suffered from her own anxiety and depression issues.
‘‘A peer worker is someone with their own lived experiences of mental health,’’ she said.
‘‘Due to my own mental illness, it allows me to be able to support the patients.’’
Ms McMurrich said she could easily relate to the patients and they found this encouraging when seeking support.
She said she hoped to continue to engage with Bunnings Shepparton to run ongoing planting programs at the inpatient unit.
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