Sitting down with one of my close friends who works as a mental health support worker on a psychiatric ward, I wanted to know if there was any consideration of design inside.
I had wanted to undertake my research by visiting the institution but there are ethical issues regarding this so I asked her about the inside and why it is like it is, and what impact does this have on patients with mental health issues. As there are some severe cases their reactions may be more extreme than those meeting up at Frazzled cafe for group therapy, but it is an interesting look at further down the end of the spectrum and if environmental design factors are implemented in their recovery.
-Walls are painted bright (orange, green and purple) but the colours together are quite brutalist and dated, not very light quite heavy which isn't useful. This does show there has been an attempt at ridding white plain walls however the colours chosen may not be ideal.
-Different wards have different coloured walls (based on risk factors of each ward) and added coloured furniture to make more 'homely'. This suggests more detail/layering/added objects make the environment more homely.
-The patients have expressed they dont like the colour scheme as the colours 'don't match'
-Disorders with addition of autistic spectrums or OCD in particular struggle with the fact the interior isn't symmetrical and dislike the colour clashes (a very insightful piece of research in to catering design to those with these issues in particular)
-Emphasising the patients much prefer symmetrical design as it doesn't give them something to be agitated about or add frustration/stress
-Look at sensory rooms (designed specifically to soothe those with mental health issues through design and interaction)
-Blackboards are up for self expression on her particular ward
-Inspirational quotes
'Organisation and structure soothes them'
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