By: Donna Demerjian, PhD, LCSW, LBBP
As Yellow Brick supports the activation of new behavioral health facilities across the Country, we love the opportunity to be exposed to new and exciting trends in design and operations. Recently in Behavioral Health Design, the focus has shifted to delivering excellent patient care in a safe, therapeutic and patient-centered environment. In celebration of this month’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s take a look at some emerging trends in behavioral health facility design that our team is excited about.
Safe and Trauma-Informed Design
New behavioral health facilities are focused on trauma-informed design and patient empowerment while still maintaining safe environments. It is not always easy to incorporate safety features, such as ligature resistant doors and hardware while still making the space appear homelike and non-institutional. Fortunately, a rapid evolution in patient-safe furniture and fixtures has made balancing safety and design possible. Design teams are also incorporating elements such as open courtyards, natural lighting, sensory rooms, and flexible spaces to create environments that promote healing and recovery.
Focus on Pediatric Behavioral Health
The devastating impact of COVID on our youth’s mental health continues and communities are stepping up to increase access to care. We are seeing an increase in pediatric inpatient facilities as well as outpatient programs that can be used as an alternative to inpatient stays. One of my favorite features in pediatric inpatient units is the addition of beds for parents so they can spend the night with their children. While this has been a longstanding option for children in medical units, this is only a recent development for behavioral health units and goes a long way towards reducing the trauma that can be associated with an inpatient stay.
Crisis and Evaluation Centers
State-of-the art crisis centers and evaluation centers are being designed as alternates to Emergency Departments (EDs). These are typically built adjacent to inpatient units and can provide efficient and trauma-reduced care. Staffed with providers that specialize in behavioral health, these centers can eliminate delays and barriers to inpatient admissions, including providing medical clearance, which reduces lengthy ED stays for patients. By creating environments that are geared towards care for behavioral health patients, these Crisis and Evaluation Centers create a space that is supportive to patients and safer for staff. The ability to provide on-site crisis stabilization services, including medication management, can eliminate the need for inpatient admissions for some patients.
Integrated Care Models
One of the most significant trends we are seeing is the integration of behavioral health services within ambulatory healthcare facilities. Integrated care models allow patients to receive comprehensive treatment in one location. Medical providers are able to immediately refer a patient for an on-site behavioral health evaluation, when indicated, reducing the likelihood the patient will “fall through the cracks” if referred to an outside agency. These models have been proven to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes and reduce stigma.
Preventive Behavioral Health Care
Behavioral health is finally catching up to physical health in terms of shifting to a preventive and early intervention model. It is refreshing to see the destigmatization of behavioral health challenges. More and more facilities are focusing on wellness programs, with a focus on identifying early signs and symptoms and addressing them before they escalate.
Technology-Driven Care
The sharp rise in the availability of digital health solutions is transforming behavioral health facilities. AI-powered diagnostics, telehealth, and mobile health apps are a few of the trends making services more accessible, engaging and personalized. The evolution of electronic health records (EHRs) in behavioral health settings has paved the way for seamless communication among providers. Data-Driven Models that focus on patient outcomes provide robust data that can lead to improved service delivery models.
In conclusion
Experiencing these trends and innovations in behavioral health is exciting, particularly as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness month and strive towards increasing awareness, reducing stigma, improving access and promoting resources for those in need. Having been a provider for 30 years, I welcome these much-needed changes to an industry that I am incredibly passionate about. By creating environments that enhance accessibility and patient-centered care and reduce trauma and stigma, we are fostering healing and empowering individuals in their mental health journeys.