To promote positive outcomes for recovery and healing in mental health and behavioral health facilities, the safety and comfort of both patients and staff must be paramount. Learn these tips for designing safe and secure behavioral health environments.
Provide Comfortable and Secure Furniture
Providing patients and staff with furniture that cultivates feelings of security, comfort, and relaxation is essential. Within common areas, behavioral health dining tables and chairs must meet proper requirements that offer a safe place to eat, sleep, and relax. Furnishings should be comfortable, sturdy, and easy to clean. In addition, they should not have sharp edges, ligature points, or intense, stimulating colors.
Create Personal Space
One of the most important tips for designing safe environments for behavioral health patients is to create personal space. Thoughtful designs that allow easy mobility and areas for rest and relaxation help to reduce stress, and patients will be more likely to respond positively to treatment. If rooms are overcrowded with too many people or external stimuli, patients may begin to feel overwhelmed and exhausted.
Natural Light
Sunlight is believed to increase the brain’s serotonin levels, stimulating boosts in mood and increased feelings of focus and peace. Safe and operable window systems, such as those offered by Sherwood Windows Group, allow patients direct access to natural light, fresh air, and sensory connections with nature.
Acoustics
Poor acoustic conditions can quickly cause stress and auditory fatigue for individuals inhabiting behavioral health settings. One simple solution for noise suppression is to avoid metal or steel furnishings by replacing them with polymer products that naturally absorb sound. Not only will polymers assist with noise reduction, but they also provide safer and more comfortable furniture for patients and staff.