Getting First Impressions Right in Mental Healthcare Design

Synopsis

Being admitted at a mental health hospital can be an overwhelming and intense experience. It can bring a tough mixture of fear and confusion depending on the circumstances of admission.

The initial moments can be disorientating and unsettling where some personal freedoms are restricted. Relinquishing some possessions and overall control can add to the feeling of vulnerability. All too often unfortunately, the built environment is making this difficult situation worse.

This is where good architecture and good design can help ensure those vital first moments and experiences are warm, friendly and reassuring. It ensures that the built environment matches the excellent quality of the care environment provided by staff.

At Gilling Dod, we have produced several different approaches to this in our recent mental healthcare designs. This talk will outline different strategies to ensure that mental healthcare environments can make the right first impression. It will cover person-centred design themes, and simple, cost-effective measures that can make a powerful impact.