In times past, mental health hospitals were invariably set on large leafy grounds providing a pleasant environment in which to heal.
Somewhere along the way, new units were built with great medical facilities but with concrete courtyards and no greenery.
Katoomba Hospital's mental health unit was one of them, until staff linked up with four local Rotary groups to do their own backyard blitz.
Over four years, they have transformed what was a patch of dirt filled with builders' rubble into a beautiful garden.
As one of the patients, Evan, said at the garden's unveiling last week: "If you're going through dark times, having something beautiful to look at can make a different to your mindset."
Before the blitz, the old site had been more reminiscent of a jail than a hospital, staff said.
Gary Inglis, a registered nurse in the ward who co-ordinated the project, said the yard had been "embarrassing.... It was just sloping land, all dirt. It was dreadful."
Fellow nurse Claire McHalick agreed.
"Before it was just a red brick wall. There was nothing. It felt like a prison yard. The difference now is phenomenal."
Rotary's assistant governor, Mina Howard, said the seed for the idea came from another nurse, Judy Quodling, who is also a member of Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary club. Her fellow members took up the challenge, along with Blackheath, Katoomba and the Central Blue Mountains clubs.
They cleared out rubbish, built retaining walls, wheelbarrowed in tonnes of soil, laid down turf and planted trees, shrubs and climbers.
Mrs Howard said the turf was donated by James Masters of Masters by Design Landscaping, Kmart had donated plants when it closed its Katoomba store and Blackheath local Dick Harris had given both plants and advice.
Rotary members, "all of us getting older", also enlisted younger, fitter friends and relatives to help, she said.
Some of the patients and staff painted the walls and enjoyed being able to help create their space.
Looking out over the lawn, the healthy shrubs and the outdoor setting complete with umbrella, Ms McHalick said she and her fellow nurses had also benefitted from the project.
"It's actually made a big difference for the staff as well.
"It's really nice for us to be here and see the beautiful plants. It's also good for the community to know what's here for people really suffering mental health conditions."