Translated from a French article found on https://www.ahsm.eu/actualites/la-micro-mineralogie-experimentee-comme-mediateur-de-soin-en-sante-mentale-en-aveyron

The carers and patients of the day hospital of Gabriac, Aveyron, France have discovered micromineralogy. It is part of an earth science project to give the patients a connection to the landscape, geography and geology. This project has managed to assemble a small mineralogical collection and exchanges on forums with other passionate collectors.
The day hospital “La Clé des Champs”, founded in 2006 in Gabriac, near Espalion, Aveyron welcomes patients for a therapeutic project. In the spirit of a small community, four nurses and a guide organise several activities for the 28 registered patients during the year for a half day up to three days a week.
The carers were setting up this project at the beginning of 2020 to make their patients understand their surroundings and its geology. This project has been struggling due to the current crisis, but it was able to convert itself into a project focussing on the very tiny through the micromineralogy.
The group was joined by Jean-Robert Eytier, a passionate micromounter who donated specimens, raw material and precious knowledge.
After the May 2020 lockdown, the patients were able to go out and collect their first specimens, look at them under their stereomicroscope, select the ones that made the cut, sort them, identify them and organise them. This way they have built up a collection and they are able to exchange them though different forums with other enthusiasts. This project is receiving a lot of praise from the worldwide micromount community which has led to many postal exchanges with correspondents in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Greece and the USA.

A helping hand in mental care
The day hospital takes on patients with symptoms of psychoses and other mental issues like depression, personality disorders or drug related issues. In many of these cases micromounting turns out to be a helping hand. Each can find its place in the activity, draws from its own capabilities and gaining a degree of autonomy. The patients communicate about the subject, share their knowledge and know how. This way the workshop creates a certain link, a solidarity and a mutual aid.
With this the carers of Gabriac have been able to explore a new way to care for the “Association hospitalière Sainte-Marie” (hospital association Sainte-Marie), France and maybe the world.

How can we help?
At the moment they are, like everybody, restricted in their movement because of the health-care crisis. So, they are actively looking for people to exchange with and who can provide them with more raw unchecked material to turn into beautiful micromounts. If you want to help by exchanging or by donating material please contact the team via: galibert.olivier.mail@gmail.com.