Appalachia Heals Christina Love 4/20/2012
Appalachia’s environment offers an abundance of resources to the human population that inhabits it. The tourism industry in Appalachia, specifically ecotourism, is one the fastest growing segments of tourism (McDaniel n.p.). The lumber, iron ore, and coal industries still thrive in Appalachia. However, another, less heralded, industry has been thriving in Appalachia since there were people present to benefit from it: healthcare. Appalachia has a history of offering respite, relaxation, and reprieve. In addition to that history, Appalachia continues to offer these resources, and does so with clear cut scientific evidence to credit it. So, yes, Appalachia abounds in material resources to benefit humankind, but it also offers another commodity by way of its characteristic ruralness. Appalachia heals. Historically, Appalachia offered healing to the Native Americans, early settlers, and, with improved transportation, many Americans. Certain areas of Appalachia have provided sacred religious respite, healing waters in the form of natural hot springs, and presently offer rural escape from the distractions of everyday life.
Native Americans thought many of the hot springs throughout the Appalachias were sacred places. They believed their “Great Spirit” resided in these springs. Native Americans would use them as healing places after battle, or for the sick and disabled. The evidence of the Native American’s use of the springs is not of a written nature, instead it is evidenced through the well-worn trails and artifacts found there by archeologist, and of course the oral history of the Native American people. Since it was a holy place, no fighting took place there. Later Americans would still congregate around natural springs: hot, warm, carbonated, or otherwise. However, with better transportation and less fear, the springs would become a focal point for resorts offering much more than simply “taking the waters”. In the mid 1800’s to the early 1900’s resorts in Appalachia flourished. In time period advertisements, these resorts are billed as sanitariums where one can relax and get away from the smog of industrial cities. The resorts advertised the absence of mosquitos and flies due to their higher altitude. They offered golf, dancing lessons, spas, and the company of the elite. The resort at Hot Springs, Virginia called themselves a “physical and mental elixir” and
advertised that many doctors send patients to their resort (PeriodPaper.com n.p.).
Currently, people still use the springs of Appalachia as a place to visit and get away from it all. However, much has changed about the ways in which Appalachia nurtures the health of its people. Wilderness therapy programs are a new and promising industry in Appalachia. While still reminiscent of the spas of the mid 1800’s, wilderness therapy programs are much more complex. These programs are armed with a much richer body of knowledge regarding mental health. Appalachia’s rural environment is a perfect setting for wilderness therapy programs. Wilderness therapy programs are simply psychological treatment programs, with the very basis of the curriculum being nature based. Therapy is almost always in-patient and lasts from 30 days to 3 months. Wilderness therapy
programs treat behavioral disorders, ADHD, drug addiction, and offer grief counseling, as well as others. It is estimated that 10,000 children of age 12-17 are treated in a wilderness therapy program yearly (Werhan 24). This number does not, however, include programs for younger children or adults, nor those programs that fall slightly under another definition, such as residential treatment. The science behind wilderness therapy programs is clear, definitive, and positive. Studies have shown that wilderness therapy programs reduce stress, provide a heightened sense of awareness, longer attention spans, increased cognitive functioning, and improved self-confidence. Four Circles, an adult addiction wilderness therapy program in North Carolina, reports “Clients show strong therapeutic gains in symptoms of depression and anxiety, substance abuse, and dependency. They show stronger motivation for recovery as they progress through the program, as well as improvement in issues such as sleep disruption and suicidal Circles n.p.)
ideation.� (Four
Many other studies echo these same results, with almost all reporting improved depression and lower stress. As to the necessity of the wilderness setting, a study published in 1999 found several factors that made the wilderness environment instrumental to the success of these programs: appreciation of nature, dissimilar surroundings, cleansing, primitive lifestyle, reduction in distractions, the vast openness, and a vulnerable humbling were all essential characteristics listed by professionals in the wilderness therapy programs (Russell 16). Science has come a long way and enabled us to see what it is about nature that makes us tick. One scientific branch, ecopsychology, proposes that it is humankind’s disassociation from nature or wilderness that causes the many mental ills that human beings suffer. Andy Fisher, in his paper “Toward a more radical ecopsychology: therapy for a dysfunctional society”, defines ecopsychology as “the idea that the diminishment of the human self and the natural world are reciprocal processes, as presumably are the processes for their liberation” (Fisher
20). If the science behind the efficacy of wilderness therapy is sound, he may just be right. A return to more natural settings, direct consequences, and humbling “otherness” may be remedies to many ills that plague humankind, and gives further reason to protect Appalachia’s rural areas. Appalachia has much to offer. With proper protection, Appalachia’s role as healer and nurturer of souls and psyches can continue to flourish. From soaking in hot springs, to relaxing in spas, to receiving much needed clinical care, Appalachia’s characteristic naturalness has acted and continues to act as a much needed salve to a wound. According to ecopsychologists, it may very well be a self-inflicted wound. Appalachia is a perfect setting for wilderness therapy programs, and wilderness therapy would demand the conservation and protection of Appalachia, something most Appalachians seek anyway.
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Russell, Keith C., John C. Hendee, and Diane Phillips-Miller. "How Wilderness Therapy Works: An Examination of the Wilderness Therapy Process." Uidaho.edu. 29 Nov. 1999. Web. 8 Dec. 2011. <http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/wrc/publications/montana1.pdf>. Werhan, Paige O., and Diane G. Groff. "Research Update: The Wilderness Therapy Trail." Parks & Recreation 40.11 (2005): 24-29. Environment Complete. Web. 8 Dec. 2011. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eih&AN=18911019&site=ehost-live>.