RDG in the Media: Designing Supportive Behavioral Health Facilities
Writing for HC+O News, RDG’s Aaron Fulton, Associate AIA explores three critical design considerations for creating behavioral health environments that contribute to the overall comfort and well-being of patients and caregivers.
Addressing the need for well-designed behavioral health facilities is critical. From 2007 to 2017, the CDC reported a 40 percent increase in suicide rates, making it the 10th leading cause of death. In Iowa alone, suicide is the ninth leading cause of death. Although these numbers are startling, there are numerous medical facilities across Iowa and the nation working to address the country’s growing behavioral health needs. One such facility is MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.
Our work on this project, which was designed in collaboration with BWBR, the Design Architect and Behavioral Health Planner, helped us establish three critical considerations where design can support the treatment and well-being of patients, says Fulton: admittance procedures, patient rooms and patients’ overall sense of control.
Click to read Fulton’s full article on critical behavioral health design considerations.