On Monday, March 11, FIRM welcomed a film crew from KVIE, the PBS station in Sacramento, who came to learn about our Community Gardens, and how they help people deal with their mental health issues.
KVIE journalists filmed out at FIRM’s garden at Mennonite Community Church at Willow and Olive, and spoke to several gardeners about how participating in the garden services-and other linked mental health supports-has helped them deal with their depression, PTSD and anxiety as a result of the refugee experience.
The crew also talked to FIRM Interim Co-Directors Paula Cha and Rev. Sophia DeWitt. The interviews will be part of a program called, “A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness” which will air on PBS statewide at the end of May. The program will air locally on ValleyPBS on Thursday, May 30 at 8:00 pm.