GAMH group sends messages of hope and peace to Japan

Mental Health Support Groups play a key role in helping Adults progress in their mental health recovery through engaging activities. Our Tuesday Healthy Lifestyle Group has recently been spending time with the outreach team from the Japanese Garden Cowden.
 
Based near Dollar in Clackmannanshire, the garden was created in 1908 by the adventurer Isabella Robertson Christie and inspired by her time in Japan. Now operating as a charity, they use Japanese-inspired activities to promote positive mental health and foster social connection.

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Origami cranes and a powerful message of peace

Over the past year, the group has enjoyed activities including Japanese calligraphy, cyanotype printing, mindful colouring and Hapa Zome (flower petal printing). One of their favourite activities has been origami – the Japanese art of paper folding to create intricate, beautiful designs.

The group has learned to make ‘Kabuto’ (samurai helmet), frogs and cranes. The crane, in particular, carries a powerful story linked to hope and peace that the group has been exploring.

Sending our own cranes with a message of hope and peace

Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. While ill with leukemia Sasaki created over 1,000 paper cranes, and her story inspired the Children’s Peace Statue in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The park is now a focal point where people from around the world leave cranes as symbols of peace.

This year, the GAMH group sent their own cranes to Hiroshima with a message of hope and peace.

We are hugely grateful to the Japanese Garden outreach team for bringing creativity, culture and social connection to our group.

GAMH can help you on the path to better mental health

GAMH Mental Health Support Groups offer a safe, friendly environment to meet others facing similar challenges, share experiences, participate in activities, build social connections and develop coping skills.

If you are interested in joining one of our Mental Health Support Groups, you need to be referred by your GP or other support service like social work, a housing association or a mental health care team.

Learn more about our Mental Health Support Groups or get in touch with GAMH directly.

You can also learn more about our mental health support services for Adults in Glasgow.

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