Nourishing the Mind: A Psychiatrist-Led Masterclass on Food, Soil and Mental Wellbeing

What if mental wellbeing didn’t start in the brain alone — but in the soil, the food we grow and the way we nourish ourselves and our communities?

Nourishing the Mind is a full-day, psychiatrist-led masterclass exploring the growing evidence linking food quality, soil health and mental wellbeing. Grounded in science yet accessible to all, this immersive day brings together perspectives from nutritional psychiatry, regenerative food systems and One Health (the interconnected health of people, animals and the environment).

The workshop is facilitated by psychiatrist Dr Ivan Lin, Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), with a special guest contribution from Amanda Currie (Tinwald Farm), offering a fresh, on-the-ground perspective on soil, food and nutrient density.

This event is designed to meet Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements for General Practitioners, while remaining welcoming and engaging for mental health professionals, farmers, food growers and members of the general public who are curious about how nourishment truly shapes wellbeing.

Who this is for

This workshop brings together people from different walks of life, including:

• GPs and primary care clinicians

• Psychologists, counsellors and allied health professionals

• Farmers, growers and food producers

• Anyone interested in mental wellbeing, food quality and regenerative ways of living

The day is facilitated in clear, accessible language, with plenty of space for questions, shared discussion and learning across professional knowledge and life experiences.

What you’ll explore

Across the day, we’ll explore:

• The latest insights from nutritional psychiatry and gut–brain science

• How food quality and nutrient density influence mental wellbeing

• Why soil health matters for the food we eat and the nutrients we absorb

• A One Health perspective connecting environmental, animal and human wellbeing

• How these ideas can be applied thoughtfully in everyday life and clinical practice

Highlights of the day

🌱 Sherwood organic vegetable garden visit
Explore food at its source and understand how growing practices influence nutrition.

🔬 Hands-on demonstrations

• Nutrient density testing using a refractometer

• Live soil microscopy

🍽 Sherwood wood-fired banquet lunch
A shared, nourishing midday meal prepared by Sherwood’s two-hatted restaurant, celebrating seasonal, whole foods.

🌾 Guest perspective from Amanda Currie (Tinwald Farm)
Grounding the science in real-world regenerative growing and food production.

🧠 Psychiatrist-led teaching and reflection
Connecting emerging evidence to mental wellbeing in a way that is practical, ethical and human.

Professional development information

This event has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and approved for up to 13 CME credits for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes. Credits apply to active Fellows of the College only.

For more details about this RNZCGP CME activity, including learning intentions and anticipated outcomes, please access this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YtpRsvgT454xv4h8Wm-Qogn6trUmdCzO/view?usp=sharing

Important Information

This workshop is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice or therapy.

Please note that photographs and videos may be taken during this event for promotional and educational purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please let us know on the day.