Earlier this month on February 6, it was the global awareness “Time to Talk Day”. With it came an important opportunity to address the stigma that still surrounds behavioral and mental health, and to challenge ourselves to think about how we can continue to break this stigma down.
Having open discussions about mental health and simply being there for the people around us, whether it be coworkers, friends, or family, are essential in reducing stigma.
But beyond conversation and connections, the behavioral and mental health care industry has its own responsibility to eliminate underlying stigma wherever it can.
In modern behavioral health care environments, innovative architecture and design plays a central role in achieving this, creating humanized spaces that communicate self-worth and support well-being. Such spaces are truly conducive to therapeutic outcomes, and by integrating thoughtful human-centered design elements, they successfully foster inclusivity and help to reduce the historical stigma associated with mental health.
Humanizing Spaces Through Architecture and Design
Creating welcoming spaces in behavioural health settings is essential for promoting healing and reducing the stigma historically associated with behavioural health settings. Seemingly simple design choices, such as the use of color or allowing for natural light, can considerably enhance the therapeutic qualities of a space. By consciously stepping away from stereotypical plain white walls and overtly sterile spaces, the design of modern facilities can help patients to feel more at ease within the care environment.
Mental health care settings also have a responsibility to instill a sense of comfort and dignity in patients, and the built environment plays a crucial role in communicating these notions to patients, whether they’re consciously aware of it or not. The aforementioned color and natural lighting are important considerations here, but elements such as the quality of furnishings and living spaces also make a significant difference in how patients perceive and interact with their surroundings. When done well, these design choices let patients know that they are cared for and reinforce that they matter.
During one of our recent online Lunch and Learn events, special guest speaker Brian Giebink, Architect and Behavioural Health Practice Leader at HDR, emphasized the importance of integrating neuroscience, mind health, and mental health in the future of behavioural health design. He acknowledged how neuro-architecture influences the way we act and behave by integrating the mind-body connection and mental health. An extract from the Lunch & Learn can be seen below:
Brian also highlighted how a stronger connection to nature and the outdoors can be a critical aspect in humanizing mental and behavioral health care spaces. Having access to the outdoors and fresh air, natural light, feeling rain and experiencing nature first hand can all create a more holistic healing experience. These design principles align with the goal of creating spaces that prioritize comfort and dignity, ultimately reducing stigma and promoting mental health recovery.
How Can Kingsway Group Help?
Kingsway Group is dedicated to breaking the stigma in behavioral health through continuous innovation in design, be it through our ligature-resistant Complete Door Systems or technology products like the SERENITY Interactive Panel.
All our products are engineered with safety at their core, but we also place equal importance on helping you create a more therapeutic and homely care environment through normalized, non-institutional design – without sacrificing durability, robustness, or safety. In doing so, our solutions have been the preferred choice in over 10,000 projects across the globe.
For our Complete Door Systems, this is achieved through an extensive range of high-quality finishes, modern ligature-resistant hardware, and customizable details such as the inclusion of imagery within our Duralux Secure Vision Panels. We have a purpose-designed solution for any opening within a behavioral or mental health environment, and almost any finish is possible. As Your Partner in Patient Safety, we work alongside you to ensure the optimum solutions are delivered for your unique care environments, both functionally and aesthetically.
Our technology offerings are designed with the same core principles in mind, such as the interactive SERENITY Panel; our latest innovation in patient wellness technology. With an intuitive user-interface and a range of therapeutic applications developed through feedback from mental health professionals, the SERENITY panel supports patient well-being and recovery journeys in challenging environments.
From calming visuals and sounds to customizable circadian rhythm lighting and more, SERENITY allows patients to personalize their environment while encouraging proactive communication with care teams to support therapeutic outcomes. By integrating technology that caters to individual preferences, behavioral health facilities can create a more welcoming and therapeutic atmosphere – find out more about SERENITY here.
Another solution that encourages proactive communication with care teams is the Wall Seat; a practical and thoughtfully designed seating solution that enhances the functionality and comfort of communal spaces. Ligature-resistant and wall-mounted, the seat enhances safety while providing a comfortable place for patients and caregivers to sit and converse. The ergonomic design supports comfortable use, making it ideal for therapy sessions, family visits, or casual interactions.
You can find out more about our full range of ligature-resistant solutions here, or contact us directly with any questions you may have. After all, the best ideas start with a conversation.
Promoting Inclusivity in Clinical Care
Inclusivity in mental health care means creating environments that are welcoming and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background, abilities, or cultural identity. It involves recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of patients to ensure that everyone feels respected and valued, and providing equitable care that acknowledges and accommodates the unique experiences and challenges faced by different populations.
Design principles that support inclusiveness include accessibility and cultural sensitivity. Accessibility ensures that spaces are usable by people with varying physical abilities, incorporating features such as ramps, wide doorways, and adjustable furniture. Cultural sensitivity involves designing spaces that reflect and respect the cultural backgrounds of patients, which can include using culturally relevant artwork, colors and materials. These principles help create environments where patients feel understood, which can enhance their overall treatment experience.
Emerging trends in inclusive design for behavioral health facilities focus on creating flexible and adaptable spaces that can cater to wide range of needs. This includes the use of modular furniture, multifunctional rooms, and technology that allows for personalized experiences. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into the built environment to promote well-being. By staying attuned to these trends, facilities can continue to evolve and provide inclusive care that meets the needs of all patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, breaking the stigma in behavioral health requires a multifaceted approach that includes humanizing spaces through thoughtful architecture and design, integrating innovative products like Kingsway’s SERENITY Interactive Panel and Wawll Seat, and promoting inclusivity in clinical care. By creating environments that prioritize comfort, dignity, and personalization, we can significantly enhance the therapeutic experience for patients and caregivers alike.
We invite you to take the next step in transforming your facility by requesting a complimentary Facility Review with your regional Kingsway Project Consultant. Let us help you assess how our stigma-reducing designs can be implemented to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all.