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University Counseling
Services
Assignment One
Mary Basile, Carmen Ferrer, Marilys Delavega, Andrea Moreno, David Kim & Luisa Lashman.
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Project Description
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Mental Health

This project should be designed to combine research and healthcare in order to
better the lives of students and people of the surrounding community regarding
overall wellness.

Wellness is more than an absence of disease. It involves complete general, mental
and social well-being. And mental health is an essential component of overall
health and well-being. The fact is our overall well-being is tied to the balance that
exists between our emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health

People of all ages are at risk of stress given the demands of daily life and the
challenges it brings-at home, at work and in life. Steps that build and maintain wellbeing and help us all achieve wellness involve a balanced diet, regular exercise,
enough sleep, a sense of self-worth, development of coping skills that promote
resiliency, emotional awareness, and connections to family, friends and
community.

This project entails creating a comfortable and private environment for students
and community residents to visit a counselor, in order to overcome the issues listed
above.
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Vision, Mission, & Values

CAPS Counseling & Psychological Services is the model for this project, since it is the
institution already in tact on FIU’s campus.

Offered by licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and trainees with
expertise in dealing with student concerns and development, their goal is to provide
professional care to each student in a culturally sensitive environment. CAPS is funded by
the FIU student health fee.
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Project Description
Services & Programs

Mental health clinics should provide but are not limited to the following services &
programs:
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Individual, Couples & Group Counseling

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Consultation, Evaluation & Referrals

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A computerized programming service for students to help them increase their relaxation skills
Testing

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To appropriate community agencies for eating disorders, substance abuse/dependence, & family
therapy
Balanced Minds
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
Short term psychotherapy that addresses concerns such as: Self-Esteem issues, Anxiety, Depression,
Grief & Bereavement, Stress Management, Relationship issues, Lifestyle choices… etc.
Neuropsychological, educational, ADHD, personality
Victim Empowerment Program

Confidential assistance to FIU students who have been victimized through threatened or actual
violence. This service identifies needs and options, accompanies students who need medical services,
helps during the healing process, and helps with safety planning… etc.
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Statistics
•
75% of lifetime cases of mental
health
conditions begin by age 24.
1
•
One in four young adults between
the ages of 18 and 24 have a
diagnosable mental illness.2
•
•
More than 25% of college students
have been diagnosed or treated
by a professional for a mental
health condition within the past
year. 3
•
64% of young adults who are no
longer in college are not attending
college because of a mental health
related reason.11
•
Depression, bipolar disorder and
posttraumatic stress disorder are the
primary diagnoses of these young
adults.12
•
31% of college students have felt so
depressed in the past year that it was
difficult to function and more than
50% have felt overwhelming anxiety,
making it hard to succeed
academically.13
•
1,400+ undergrad and grad students
visited CAPS in the past year.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of
death on college campuses.20
…which is why it’s important to implement this facility to be
readily available on all college campuses.
+ Project Client

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
FIU Health
FIU Students & Faculty
Sweetwater/Doral, FL residents
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Client Profiles


Stress from office work
Stress from dealing with
FIU Staff
students

Deadlines
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Personal issues
FIU Students
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Bad relationships
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Fraternity hazing
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First time living on campus
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Sexual, verbal, emotional abuse
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Stress from academics
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Client Profiles
FIU Health

FIU Student Health Services is the
umbrella in which CAPS specifically falls
under.

FIU Student Health Services offer a safe,
private and welcoming setting to
address students’ needs and concerns.
Community

The community surrounding
FIU including Sweetwater
and Doral would be
potential clients of this
facility.

Issues that affect everyone:
Sexual Health, Nutrition,
Relationships, Fitness,
Career, Lifestyle
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Site
885 SW 109th Avenue, Suite #131, Miami, FL 33199
FIU – PG5 Floor 1
Floor 2
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Extended Program
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Extended Program
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For the therapy rooms (group or individual) for the materials and objects is
recommended not to use anything that the patients can harm themselves with or
harm the counselor.
Acoustics walls should be provided to avoid noise in the clinic, and to keep the
privacy of each patient.
Overhead lighting should be the main source of light. If possible, provide natural
light to some of the offices but also provide shading systems to maintain the privacy
of the patient. Typically the users tend to personalize and buy their own lamps
(table lamp, floor lamp, etc.)
These settings don't require too much furniture mainly of chairs and a small table.
The exam room is used to perform all kind of test, using computer for assessments,
cards, written exams, etc.
Computers should be provided for the offices since all the records are shredded
and kept in the system.
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Codes
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Codes
BUILDING ATTRIBUTES GUIDELINES AS PER Psychiatric Facility WBDG Health Care
Subcommittee facility standards

Minimizing distance of necessary travel between frequently used spaces
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Easy visual supervision of patients by limited staff.

Situate support spaces so that they may be shared by adjacent functional areas,
and by making prudent use of multi-purpose spaces
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Codes
THERAPUTIC ENVIROMENTS GUIDELINES AS PER Psychiatric Facility WBDG
Health Care Subcommittee facility standards

Using familiar and non-institutional materials with cheerful and varied colors and
textures, keeping in mind that some colors and patterns are inappropriate.
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Admitting ample natural light wherever possible.
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Provide views of the outdoors from other spaces wherever possible. Views of
nature can be restorative.
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Providing adequate separation and sound insulation to prevent confidential but
loud conversation from traveling beyond consulting offices and group therapy
rooms.
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Provide as much acoustic privacy as possible—from noises of other patients, toilet
noises, mechanical noises, etc.

Provide visual privacy, and control over it, as is consistent with the need for
supervision.
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Codes Cont.
THERAPUTIC ENVIROMENTS GUIDELINES AS PER Psychiatric Facility WBDG
Health Care Subcommittee facility standards

Giving each inpatient the ability to control his immediate environment as much as
possible, i.e. lighting, radio, TV, etc.
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Providing computer stations for patient use when patient profile and treatment
program allow.
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Designing features to assist patient orientation, such as direct and obvious travel
paths, key locations for clocks and calendars, avoidance of glare, and avoidance
of unusual configurations and excessive corridor lengths.
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Designing a "way-finding" process into every project. A patient's sense of
competence is encouraged by making spaces easy to find, identify, and use
without asking for help. Color, texture, and pattern, as well as artwork and signage,
can all give cues.
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Providing access to kitchen facilities, preferably on the unit, where snacks or meals
can be prepared.
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Codes
CLEANINGNES GUIDELINES AS PER Psychiatric Facility WBDG Health Care
Subcommittee facility standards
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Appropriate, durable finishes for each functional space
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Proper detailing of such features as doorframes, casework, and finish transitions to
avoid dirt-catching and hard-to-clean crevices and joints
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Adequate and appropriately located housekeeping spaces
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Incorporating O&M practices that stress indoor environmental quality (IEQ)
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Codes
AESTETICS GUIDELINES AS PER Psychiatric Facility WBDG Health Care Subcommittee
facility standards
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Use of new lighting systems, high performance glazing, increased use of natural
light, natural materials, and colors
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Use of (soothing, not exciting) artwork
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Attention to details, proportions, color, and scale
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Bright and open public and congregate spaces
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Comfortable and intimately scaled nursing units and offices
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Compatibility of exterior design with surroundings
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FGI Guidelines
General GUIDELINES AS PER Specific Requirements for Psychiatric Outpatients
Centers | Section 3.11
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FUNTIONAL PROGRAM 3.11 – 1.2
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PARKING 3.11 – 1.3.1
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Parking spaces for patients and family shall be provided to meet the function of program.
DIAGNOSTIC & TREATMENTS AREAS 3.11 – 3
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Number and type of diagnostic, clinical, and administrative areas shall be sufficient to
support the service and estimated patient load describe in the functional program.
Facility Shall Provide for only those services specified in the program.
AREAS FOR PATIENT SERVICES 3.11 - 3.2
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Consultation Rooms
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Group Rooms
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Small Group Room
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Large Group Room
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Observation Room
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FGI Guidelines Cont.
General GUIDELINES AS PER Specific Requirements for Psychiatric Outpatients
Centers | Section 3.11
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SUPORT AREAS FOR PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENT CENTER
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Nurse Station
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Multi Purpose Room
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Medication Room
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Nourishment Area
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Storage
PUBLIC AREAS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS 3.11 – 6
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Entrances shall be marked at grade level and secured at least at the psychiatric unit
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Entrances Shall Be convenient to parking and public transportation area
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Reception and information counter shall provide visual control of entrance
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Waiting area: seating shall contain no fewer that two spaces for each consultation room and
no fewer than 1.5 spaces for the combined projected capacity.
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Waiting areas shall accommodate for wheelchairs.
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Water provisions shall be provided for waiting patients.
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Toiles for public use shall be immediate access to waiting area
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FGI Guidelines Cont.
General GUIDELINES AS PER Specific Requirements for Psychiatric Outpatients
Centers | Section 3.11
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
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PUBLIC AREAS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS 3.11 – 6 Cont.
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Spaces for private interview related to social services, credit and other shall be provided
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Clerical spaces or rooms for typing shall be provided and separate to public areas to ensure confidentiality
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Record rooms shall be provided for filing and storage.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REUQIERMENTS 3.11 -7
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Observation of all public areas including corridors shall be possible and can be accomplish by electronic
surveillance
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Niches and hidden areas in corridors shall be prohibited.
ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL 3.11 -7.2
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Tamper Resistance Suicide prevention, ceilings, wall, floors, windows etc. shall be tamper resistant.
Cubicle curtain and draperies shall not be used where a risk assessment in the functional program clearly
identifies their potential risk.
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NAPHS GUIDELINES
GENERAL COMMENTS
Space Planning Considerations:

All electrical circuits having receptacles near sources of water (such as sinks,
lavatories, and toilets) must be protected by (GFCI) breakers.
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When possible, locate water shut-off valves in corridor walls where they are
accessible from the corridor by opening a locked access door. This has been
successfully accomplished during remodeling projects of existing units.
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Housekeeping rooms should be large enough to lock away the carts when not in
use. All cleaning materials must be locked inside at all times when the carts are in
patient areas or corridors and not attended by staff.
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When possible, locate serviceable parts of patient-room HVAC systems where they
can be serviced without entering the patient rooms. In new construction,
consideration should be given to radiant heating and cooling systems that greatly
reduce the need for mechanical devices in the patient rooms.
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National Institute of Building
Sciences
Private Counseling Room Standard
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Psychological needs&
Theories
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Issues/problems
Stigmas and Discrimination :
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“the stigmatization of people with mental disorders varies across population.
Stigma discourage people from seeking and wanting to pay for care.
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Stigma also reduces patients’ access to resources and opportunities such as
housing and jobs, and leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness”.
(Russell, 2010)
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“Many people with mental health problems are afraid to seek treatment because
of discrimination and stigma. There are problems with discrimination in the
community. A mentally ill person will struggle to obtain and keep employment and
housing”. (Russell, 2010)
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“Overall approaches to stigma reduction involve advocacy and public education
programs, and contact with persons with mental illness through schools and other
societal institutions”. (Russell, 2010)
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Issues/problems
Mental health remains a hidden health issue:
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An additional factor that influences the willingness to access treatment is a lack of
mental health literacy on the part of the public, specifically a lack of knowledge of
how to recognize mental disorders and beliefs about treatment that are at
variance with those of health professionals.
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Many people who live with a mental health problem or are developing one try to
keep their feelings hidden because they are afraid of other people’s reactions.
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Issues/problems
Not enough mental health care facilities are available, and
treatments are expensive.
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“In the past three years, $4.35 billion for services has been cut from state budgets
across the country, according to a report by the National Association of State
Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute. While states are slashing
funding for treatment, private care is getting harder to obtain. Mental health
advocates say that the number of providers nationwide has decreased in recent
years. The ones that do practice often don’t take insurance or are all booked up”.
(Horowitz, 2012)
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Specific requirements
Privacy and safety

Privacy has the ability to provide refugee which at the same time will promote
healing by providing rest and recovery.

Patient safety remains a top priority, and elements such as high ceilings to
eliminate contraband and vandalism, consideration of door swings to eliminate
potential barricades, and non-breakable glass partitions are key elements in
solutions. However, these can be addressed in a fashion that makes the space feel
comfortable and personable
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Specific requirements
Sense of control and Access to social support from family and
friends. (Group therapy - Family therapy)

Lack of sense of control is related to negative consequences such as depression,
high blood pressure, and malfunctions in the immune system. (Marberry, 1995)

Freedom is an important feeling when trying to achieve a sense of control. Stress
often appears when the user feels the lost in control over the physical environment.

Privacy, places for refugee, and design coherence are some factors that can
affect the sense of control on patients. (Gifford, 2004)
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Choice and control are important elements to reduce the chaos and stress of the
health environment. (Stewart -Pollack & Menconi, 2005)
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Problems such as depression and anxiety have been linked to the lack of social
support. (Gifford, 2004) Social support is usually recalled as the actual assistance,
help or any action that will show somehow support for the patients. Some studies
point to family and friends’ visits as well as friendly and supportive hospital’s staff to
have a beneficial response in the recovering process. (Ulrich, 1992)
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Specific requirements
Stress: A Major Obstacle for Psychological Wellness

Psychological stress gives you a sense of helplessness and can induce to
depression and anxiety. (Ulrich, 1992)
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Keep et al (1980) and Parker and Hodge, (1976) connected the use of rooms
without windows with the increases of anxiety and higher chances to develop
depression and delirium. The lack of windows will increase the negative effects of
sensory deprivation and will reduce the positive outcomes. (as cited in Ulrich, 1992)
Behavioral stress refers to a stress caused by sleeplessness, alcohol abuse, and
social withdrawal. This instance of stress can appear not only in patients but in
family members, friends, and healthcare staff as well. (Ulrich, 1992)

When a health environment, clinical or mental, evokes stress for a patient, it has
adverse outcomes. As Ulrich said, when an environment minimizes stressors and
offers restorative features, outcomes can be positively affected. Environmental
factors includes: positive distractions, view of nature, and appropriate lighting and
acoustic levels.
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Possible care theories
Attention Restoration and Evoking positive emotion

The Kaplan's formulated four properties for a restorative space. These properties
are “being away, extent, fascination, and compatibility. Being Away: sense of
being removed from the source of the mental fatigue ; Extent: the new setting
offers an experience of sufficient scope to sustain interaction for a period of time
without boredom; Fascination: an effortless way of attending with involuntary
attention ; Compatibility: fit with a person’s inclinations and purposes. If the
experience is compatible to the person then it will require less mental effort to
engage with it.
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Positive emotions help to distract the user, even for just a moment, about his or her
situation, illness, etc…, giving a positive emotional response. Research has found
that positive distractions have a positive effect in reducing stress levels in patients.
Positive distractions are any element that would produce a positive feeling and will
help to reduce unpleasant thoughts. (Ulrich 1992)
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This approach implies that the benefits of nature come from the positive emotions
it produces in us, and that any setting or space resembling calm and peacefulness
will have the same results. (Gifford, 2004)
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Possible care theories
Color

“Color when applied in the interior environment can have a significant impact on
the occupants within that space. Color mixed with light will alter a person’s
perception of visual contrast. Visual contrast greatly influences people’s
perceptions of interior environments. It can positively influence mood and
behavior. A full range of psychological and emotional effects can be achieved
through the use of color” (Hegde & Woodson, 1999).
Under red lighting, our body produces more adrenaline and increase the blood
pressure.
Lower blood pressure, slows pulse rate and relax the muscles.
It is associated with health and wellbeing. It is used to relax patients in waiting
rooms.
It is known for its properties to calm anxiety.
It has been known to increase the amount of oxygen supply to the brain.
Perceptual Properties and Association of common Colors. Source of data: Color + Design-transforming
interior spaces.
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Precedent Studies
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The functional Area of
Primary Care

The primary objective of the interior design of the Mental Health units and facilities
is to provide:
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A residential, therapeutic environment.
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Finishes, fixtures and furnishings that maintain the safety and security of the facility
need to be integrated into the interior design without detracting from this primary
objective.

A warm, welcoming, and familiar environment can help calm patients and
promote their participation in treatment and their rehabilitation and recovery.
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Planning

1. Patient spaces should have an attractive,
therapeutic environment without compromising
patient and staff safety. Incorporate wall color,
trim, accent colors, and securely-anchored
artwork in common areas and patient therapy
rooms to enhance the environment.

2. The clinic planning and design should
maintain patient privacy.
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3. The circulation (corridors) in this clinic should
be open, easily observed from reception and
nursing stations, and should be free of blind
corners.
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4. Provide outdoor space to allow patients to sit
or talk with others outside, when possible.
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5. There should be ample signage that is clear
and has large letters that can be read from a
distance by patients, some of whom have
imperfect vision.

6. Therapy room areas should have appropriate
acoustic control.

7. Include an identifiable reception area, for
greeting patients, family members, and other
visitors that is adjacent to a comfortable waiting
area. The waiting area should provide some
privacy from common traffic.
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Planning

8. The overall reception/waiting area should be
subdivided into smaller waiting areas easily
observed from a central reception point.
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9. All areas must be wheelchair-accessible.
Corridors should be a minimum of 6’ [1.83 m]
clear to allow passage of two wheelchairs.

10.Ample light should be provided in common
hallways.

11.Areas where patients are minimally
supervised such as patient toilet rooms should
be outfitted to minimize the potential for fixtures,
and accessories within the room to be used as a
weapon or anchor point for hanging. Grab bars
should have a solid plate behind the bar. All
plumbing fixture piping should be concealed
and motion sensors should be used for toilet and
lavatory operation.

12.Exposed devices should be fastened with
tamper resistant fasteners in any area where a
patient is left unattended. Laminated glass
should be used in areas readily accessed
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Lighting
Natural & Artificial Lighting

Natural light : Design to provide daylight in all feasible areas in appropriate quantities.

Artificial Lighting: Artificial lighting will be required to supplement day-lit areas at night and light areas
without access to daylight.

General Illumination: 2’x2’ [.6 m x .6 m], 2’x4’ [.6 m x 1.21 m] recessed fluorescent fixtures (Figure 3.2.5.8)
or 9” diameter [228.6 mm] (Figure 3.2.5.9) vandal/wet-lensed down-lights may be used with a high
strength acrylic lens andflush trim anchored with tamper resistant screws.
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Acoustics
A Sound Absorbing Material & Acoustical Tile

At least one wall in the room should be covered with a sound absorbing material to minimize
reverberation and acoustical tile ceilings may also be used. The room itself should be acoustically
isolated from external noise sources such as mechanical noise, street noise or corridor noise.

Sound absorption is the next most common acoustic need, especially in areas where patients gather.
Interior wall and ceiling finishes can help reduce excessive noise.
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Interior Finishes
Flooring, Wall & Ceiling

Flooring/Base: Sheet vinyl flooring now comes in a range of colors and textures. The wood grain patterns
in particular create a more residential feel and are strongly recommended.

Use of wood toned vinyl flooring can significantly brighten up the area and enhance the aesthetic
environment. Similarly, rubber base manufactures now produce a base that simulates wood base
profiles which creates a residential image without sacrificing safety.

Wall Finishes: Wood paneling and trim create a warmer, more residential environment, but should be
limited to areas such as reception and waiting areas where this material can not be easily scratched or
damaged.

Ceiling Finishes: Painted Gypsum Board: All gypsum board ceilings shall be painted with an off-white
color, eggshell finish.
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Wayfinding & Signage
Readable Numbers & Letters

Wayfinding and signage that allows patients and visitors to navigate to and throughout any mental
health unit, clinic or facility with minimal or no assistance is essential.

Safety/security considerations: Artwork should be installed in a manner that mitigates potential use as a
weapon.
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Corridor Area
Protect the wall

Handrails/Wall Protection: Corridors in patient areas should have handrails for patient use as required
and to protect the wall. Additionally, corner guards and exterior wall corners help protect the wall but
also soften a hard edge that a patient could harm themselves on.
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Furnishings
Heavy & Rounded

Areas should be furnished with comfortable chairs and tables that cannot be easily thrown or taken
apart and used as a weapon. Lamps, coffee tables and other loose accessories should not be used.

Furniture edges should be rounded and not easily damaged.
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Bathroom
Toilets & Labatory

Toilets: Toilets should not have any exposed piping. As defined in the plumbing section, controls should
be utilized to prevent excessive flushing and flooding.

Lavatory: Lavatories should be solid surface material with an integral sink. All

piping below the sink should be concealed behind a panel
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Bathroom

Mirror: Mirrors in patient bathrooms should
be reflective polycarbonate with a
stainless steel frame firmly anchored to the
wall. No shelf should be part of this frame
assembly

Toilet Paper Dispenser: A safety toilet
paper dispenser consisting of a soft
spindle should be used in all patient
bathrooms.

Grab Bars: Grab bars, as required for
accessible rooms, should be fixed to the

wall with a welded horizontal plate on the
bottom of the bar to prevent using these
bars as anchor points.

Clothing Hooks: Clothing or towel hooks
should be designed to collapse when any
weight above 4 lbs [1.81 kg] is applied

Shower/Floor Drains: Drains should be
attached with security screws to prevent
removal by patients

Paper Towel Dispenser: Paper towel
dispensers in patient bathrooms shall be
Recessed

Soap Dispensers: Soap dispensers shall be
wall-mounted with sloped tops to prevent
this fixture from being used as an anchor
point.
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Group Therapy Rooms

Lighting: Auxiliary lighting should be provided to allow soft, diffuse front lighting so a
patient’s face can be clearly seen on the remote conference screen. In rooms
with natural light, window shades with full black out capability should be provided
to control glare and shadow in the room during a video-conference.

Acoustics: At least one wall in the room should be covered with a sound absorbing
material to minimize reverberation and acoustical tile ceilings may also be used.
The room itself should be acoustically isolated from external noise sources such as
mechanical noise, street noise or corridor noise.

Interior Finishes: the room should use solid colors preferably in a medium

tone color to allow for the best backdrop during video conferences.