Farm therapy

Farm therapy is the traditional and still most common approach on Jute to treat mental illnesses. Generally seen as something that requires the help and intervention of the whole community, these "evils of the mind" can lead to the sufferer being sent to a farm (though not against their own will) to do simple, relaxing tasks, in order to have some meaningful activity that redirects a patient’s attention to something more positive and constructive.

The location is chosen based on what is believed to be the better option for the patient. Some people might benefit from staying close to their home, while other ones should spend time further away from it. Other factors include climate, protection from dangerous wildlife or natural forces as well as the type of farm. Subsistence farms, or those growing a wide variety of foods, especially soothing foods such as bananas or turmeric, are preferred, as good food is seen as the cornerstone of health and healing and particularly needed in order to be able to work well. Alongside evening activities like storytelling and good sleeping conditions it forms the other half of therapy.

Patients may sleep in separate accommodation or on smaller ones with the host. During the day, they receive instructions by them that they work on, alone or alongside the hosts. This might entail helping on the fields, some handicraft, kitchen work, other chores, or assistance with construction or repair jobs. A trusted person or volunteer is meant to check on them several tand himes during the day, but this is not always doable. On remote farms this is usually done by the hosts instead, but while this can provide for a deeper connection with them, having several responsibilities can limit the amount of attention and care given to the patient.

Farm therapy is widely used because it provides benefits for the patient, the community and the farm at the same time, in a simple and straightforward way. It may be complimented by additional treatments, e.g. herbs or other medicine and other prescribed activities such as journaling, meditation or forms of talk therapy.