“Approximately one in four people with Schizophrenia will be able to recover fully (Can People Recover, Rethink Mental Illness, 2023).”
Schizophrenia. This mental health condition is the most stigmatised illness in society, with many people having pre-misconceptions about schizophrenia (Schizophrenia stigma in mental health professionals and associated factors: A systematic review, National Library of Medicine, 2020). Sadly, TV shows and movies often portray individuals with this mental health condition as violent. One example is that people often think those with schizophrenia have a split personality, meaning someone with multiple identities.
This is far from the truth and not a symptom of this condition. However, this stigma negatively affects those living with this illness. This can prevent people from fully recovering due to low self-esteem and embarrassment, preventing them from seeking support (The Stigma of Schizophrenia: The Illness and Its Presence in Society, The Public Health Museum, 2021).
What is schizophrenia?
“More than two out of three people with schizophrenia do not receive specialist mental health care (WHO, 2023).”
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition that affects a person's perception of reality, thoughts, emotions, and behaviour (Overview, Schizophrenia, NHS, 2023). Symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty with speech
- Delusions
- A lack of care for personal hygiene
- Becoming socially withdrawn
The cause of schizophrenia is unknown. Research suggests this mental health condition is likely to develop through genetic, social, and environmental factors.
How can the physical environment promote recovery for those living with schizophrenia?
Creating healing spaces in an inpatient mental health environment can significantly contribute to supporting those recovering from schizophrenia.
Privacy and Safety:
Privacy and patient safety are crucial to designing mental health environments for individuals with schizophrenia. This is because people with this condition often experience symptoms such as sensory overload, making individuals more susceptible to external stimuli. Therefore, mental health environments are moving from shared to private bedrooms to offer patient privacy and dignity in care settings.
However, privacy also provides noise reduction. This can be particularly beneficial when managing delusions or hallucinations, allowing patients to process their thoughts and emotions without external influences. Additionally, patients can control their exposure to sensory triggers, reducing stress and anxiety levels and supporting sensory integration (Patients' Health & Well-being in Inpatient Mental Health-care Facilities: A systematic Review, National Library of Medicine, 2021).
Yet, other design elements also promote recovery for patients healing from this condition. Our En-suite Doorset with ligature-resistant features can ensure patient privacy while maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment in the bathroom. Often in mental health settings, the bathroom door is removed to observe the patient and remove ligature risk from the door. This product has reassured professionals that they don’t need to remove the door to have the ability to observe a patient and keep them safe.
Furthermore, anti-barricade technology integration into doors enables staff to access patient rooms quickly during emergencies, striking a balance between patient safety and the need for intervention.
At Safehinge Primera, we have designed the world's first and only Anti-barricade Doorset with Full-door Ligature Alarm to detect and alert staff and caregivers in mental health facilities or other high-risk environments when there is an attempt to create a ligature on a door.
Additionally, this doorset is specialised for mental health facilities to prevent patients from barricading themselves in a room, which we all know is dangerous for both the patient and staff. These innovative products are an essential safety measure designed to provide patients privacy and dignity while maintaining their safety. We are committed to creating designs that foster recovery and well-being for individuals healing from schizophrenia.
Inclusive Design: Art and Nature to Provide Compassionate Care
Art in the design of a hospital can play a significant role in promoting recovery for patients with schizophrenia. Art installations and nature-inspired designs featuring soothing and nature-themed images can create a calming and distraction-free environment that positively impacts patients' emotional well-being. Art can also distract from distressing symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, by redirecting attention and focus (Schizophrenia Art - The Relationship Between Art and Mental Illness, Art in Context, 2021). It can help patients shift their attention away from painful thoughts and engage in positive sensory experiences by providing a visually stimulating and inspiring environment.
We considered the power of art when developing our En-suite Doorset. Therefore, our two leaf designs for this product have been created in collaboration with the charity Hospital Rooms to provide leaf prints that promote a therapeutic environment. A percentage of all sales we make from these prints is donated to this charity to support its mission of turning hospitals into warm and friendly places for people in recovery. However, we’ve also found that some hospitals prefer plain leaves for our En-suite Doorsets, enabling patients to get creative and personalise their bathroom doors. It can also let patients express their thoughts and feelings to staff members. Overall, artwork can help patients with schizophrenia process their experiences and promote empowerment and emotional healing.
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day highlights the importance of design in mental health environments for individuals with schizophrenia. The stigma associated with this condition can hinder recovery, but creating healing spaces prioritising privacy, safety, and dignity is essential for patients facing this challenge.
Our ligature-resistant En-suite Doorset ensures patient privacy while maintaining a safe environment. Additionally, anti-barricade technology further enhances patient safety. Art and nature-themed designs can promote emotional well-being and serve as a therapeutic outlet.
At Safehinge Primera, we are committed to raising awareness about schizophrenia. We want to do our part to help end the stigma around this mental health condition through innovative and inclusive designs.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about schizophrenia, you can access resources and information here.
