Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Affecting more than 89 million people in North America with more than $250 billion in spending and resources annually, mental illness and substance abuse disorders are serious healthcare issues.
Behavioral and mental health (BMH) facilities require solutions that can facilitate treatment while prioritizing the safety and security of patients, visitors, and staff. When considering behavioral and mental health design, material specified in these areas must be able to meet the following points:
While this seems like an obvious objective, it needs to be remembered that the primary goal of BMH facilities is to provide treatment.
Gone are the days of the sterile looking facilities. Newer buildings are incorporating brighter, more optimistic colors into their design. A more familiar, residential aesthetic allows patients to retain a sense of humanity during rehabilitation.
This means preventing harm to others and to the patients themselves. This is perhaps the most critical design element in designing spaces for mental health and behavioral health facilities. Every detail, furnishing, and finish needs to be considered carefully.
Much of the built environment in BMH spaces uses fixtures that are designed specifically for this segment. Reducing things like potential ligature points are a top priority.
Design and mental health have an undeniable relationship and it’s important to consider the needs of the patients when creating these spaces. Special consideration needs to be given to the patterns, color and construction of the flooring materials that is chosen. Many opt for more of a biophilic design aesthetic, bringing the patient closer to the natural world which has shown to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing.
BMH includes so many different conditions and types of treatment that it’s important to separate them into the different levels of care that are required.
When designing low-risk zones, residential looks are appropriate and encouraged in communal spaces. Areas that fall into these categories include corridors, activity rooms, counseling rooms, interview rooms and staff or service areas.
Key considerations
In high-risk Level III and IV zones, safety is the highest priority. These zones are where patients spend time alone with either minimal or no supervision.
Strict design guidelines must be followed in these areas to prevent self-harm by eliminating any potential hazards, particularly fixtures that could serve as ligature points. High-risk areas include patient rooms (semiprivate or private), seclusion rooms, patient toilet rooms and showers.
What is the design thinking process in mental health?
Design thinking can be applied to mental health treatment to enhance patient care. This approach focuses on the human element, which can improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients in behavioral and mental health.
The phases of design thinking (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test) can be used to identify and understand the needs of patients, develop solutions that meet those needs, and test those solutions in the real world. This approach can help providers to better understand the challenges that patients face and to develop more effective treatments.
Design thinking can also be used to create a more positive and supportive environment for patients. This can be done by creating spaces that are designed to be calming and relaxing, by providing access to nature, and by creating a sense of community and belonging.
Overall, design thinking can be a valuable tool for providers who are looking to improve the quality of care for patients with mental health conditions.
Can design help mental health?
Design concepts can have a positive impact on mental health, especially when it comes to the sensory environment, integration of nature, safety and social equity, and physical activity. By incorporating these elements into the design, a designer can take a more holistic approach and create spaces that promote mental wellness.
Here are some specific examples of how design can affect mental health:
By incorporating these elements into the design, a designer can create spaces that promote mental wellness.
Key considerations
