Dig deep to find happiness

MY FAVOURITE piece of research this week has to be from the Royal Horticultural Society, which found planting a few ornamental plants can help people feel happier and less stressed. When worked for people with long-standing mental health problems we used to do a lot of ‘gardening therapy’ for precisely this reason. Just last weekend I went to a garden centre with my mum and bought an array of pots and planted them to cheer her up. It not only gave her a boost, but it was so relaxing spending a few hours getting my hands dirty — I barely even noticed when it started to rain!

ConViCTeD killer Steven Gallant, who tackled the London Bridge terrorist with a narwhal tusk, could be released early according to reports. he was attending a rehabilitation event when a terrorist murdered two people on november 29, 2019. Gallant is serving a minimum of 17 years for killing a firefighter 15 years ago. There’s no doubt this is a difficult situation. i can imagine the family of the person he murdered are angry at this prospect. But he did also demonstrate extraordinary bravery. Years ago, when i worked in the forensic service, i remember having discussions with prison psychiatrists who were quite bleak about the prospect of prison rehabilitation — up to half reoffend. But not everyone does. Gallant has vowed never to turn to violence again. i think, given the circumstances, he should be given the benefit of the doubt.