There has been explosive growth in the design and development of crisis and behavioral emergency centers—some prototyped and prefabbed—that divert mental health patients from law enforcement or overburdened hospital emergency departments. In this session, we will share how Trauma-Informed Design informs environments of care and elevates the care culture for providers. Recent projects include the templated model for CHS Kirkland Crisis Response Center, CHS Dauphin Crisis Walk-in Center and CHS Chantilly Crisis Center as recent case studies to review. Our team of internationally recognized experts in mental health design will discuss these issues and trends to further elevate, educate, and advocate for crisis care design. In this way, a holistic clinical and design approach seeks to humanize mental health environments for patients, harmonize staff safety, and enhance the comfort of visiting family and friends for the communities we serve.
Learning Objectives:
Understand Trauma-Informed Design
Analyze planning considerations to crisis care settings
Apply design strategies for emergency psychiatric environments of care
