The past decade has seen a significant shift in public perception of mental health. With over one in eight people living with a mental disorder, anxiety or depression worldwide (1), increased awareness and acceptance, coupled with supportive policy changes and government funding, have driven improvements in mental healthcare infrastructure and delivery.
Design is emerging as a key factor in enhancing healthcare outcomes. Mental health facilities are recognising the long-term benefits of investing in resilient and adaptive architectural designs, with the focus shifting from solely functional spaces to environments that promote healing and recovery.
With this greater awareness, there are new opportunities arising to help patients and care providers alike create places that promote wellbeing and healing, without losing functionality or neglecting safety aspects.
There is a shift towards upstream prevention and early intervention which is reshaping mental healthcare delivery. Recognising and addressing mental health issues before they escalate ultimately reduces the need for intensive treatment.
Upstream intervention also allows for the integration of technology as a preventative and diagnostic tool, with AI algorithms analysing behavioural data, predicting potential crises and triggering timely interventions. Wearable devices and smart buildings are transforming the design process and enabling personalised treatment plans by enabling stakeholders to have a sense of ownership in the spaces that they inhabit and provide care in, thus bringing about more flexible design solutions that affect how we accommodate these changing spatial and technological needs.
New therapies, such as psychedelic therapy, neuro-modulation techniques, and virtual reality therapy, are rapidly gaining prominence. These therapies require specialised environments, soothing spaces that incorporate aspects such as adjustable lighting and comfortable recliners to optimise patient outcomes.
Telehealth services and personalised medicine, powered by advancements in technology, pharmacogenetics and big data, are constantly improving access to care and enabling personalised treatment plans tailored to the individual’s lifestyle and environmental factors.
Sustainability and regenerative design are crucial in addressing climate change, mental health, and social equity. By adopting sustainable practices and prioritising net-positive impacts in areas like health, society and ecology, we can create longer-lasting and environmentally friendly solutions. With the pace of technological advances and the lifespan of technology so much shorter than the lifespan of the buildings we are creating, we need to be designing for the future and creating facilities that are evolving with their communities over time.
As we move forward, it’s essential to prioritise empathy, collaboration, and user-centric design. By understanding the lived experiences of individuals with mental health challenges, we can create environments that truly support their wellbeing.
By embracing these principles, we can create mental health systems that are accessible, effective, and supportive, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to receive care in a healing environment.
(1) Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx), Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
