Design strategies to support staff in mental health facilities

This article was featured in Justice Design News in September 2025. You can view the feature here.

Mental healthcare is a critical issue in the United States, and many communities are looking for ways to improve the access and quality of services for people in crisis. One such community is Douglas County, Kansas, where a new facility, the Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County (TRC), has opened its doors to provide assessment, stabilization, and treatment for people with mental health and substance use disorders.

The TRC is also a diversion program for people who would otherwise go to jail or the emergency room for their mental health needs. Central to the facility’s design is an unwavering commitment to enhancing the caregiver experience, underscoring the principle that the effectiveness of patient care is directly linked to staff support.

Architectural and interior choices emphasize a welcoming, non-institutional appearance, safety, and dedicated spaces for staff. The facility’s design plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of the treatment provided and the well-being of the essential workers who provide it. This article explores the innovative design strategies employed to enhance the workspace for staff and caregivers in the TRC, ensuring they can provide the best care possible while also taking care of themselves.

The TRC project was initiated in response to the growing demand for mental health services in Douglas County and the surrounding areas. (Douglas County, 2022). The county also has a high rate of incarceration for people with mental health and substance use disorders, who often end up in jail due to the lack of adequate treatment options. (SAMHSA, 2023) The county jail, which was built to house 186 in-custody individuals, has been overcrowded for years, with an average daily population of over 230. (Brennan Center for Justice, 2018).

A collaborative effort among Douglas County stakeholders, the medical community, and law enforcement, the TRC serves as a pivotal community mental health resource and referral hub. The 22,460 SF TRC provides 30 beds and various services, including crisis stabilization, detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, peer support, and case management. Sited next to the Lawrence Memorial Health Main Campus, the location enhances synergy and collaboration with existing hospital services (LMH Health, (2022).

The project opened to the public in January 2024. The team worked in close partnership to meet the diverse needs of county officials, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the broader community.

One of the primary challenges in designing mental health facilities is creating spaces where staff members can decompress and observe individuals safely and securely. To achieve this, special zones were incorporated away from the patient areas. These calming zones allow employees to step away from the stressors of their work environment and recharge so they can return to their duties focused and refreshed.

Additionally, these areas are equipped with a separate staff entrance, serving a dual purpose: it reinforces the distinction between work and personal recovery spaces and helps staff members access these calming zones without navigating through patient areas. The decompression zones include a staff lounge/break room, a locker room, and a fitness room.

These areas are designed to provide comfort, convenience, and privacy for the staff, as well as opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. This design respects the need for staff to have dedicated spaces for decompression and minimizes disruptions in patient areas, contributing to a more serene environment for everyone involved.

The Douglas County TRC features direct access to the outdoors for both staff and patients.

The outdoor amenities, including a patio, a garden, and a walking trail, offer staff members a peaceful retreat, enabling them to relax and rejuvenate amidst natural surroundings. These spaces act as sanctuaries for staff to unwind and reconnect with nature.  They offer settings where staff can engage in informal interactions with patients in a calm and natural environment, facilitating a conducive atmosphere for de-escalation.

This approach not only supports the well-being of caregivers, fostering a sense of peace that directly contributes to enhanced patient care but also underscores the facility’s commitment to nurturing a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere for everyone involved.

The design of the staff offices sought to strike a balance between open spaces that encourage collaboration among staff and private areas for sensitive conversations and counseling sessions.

This approach allows nurses and other caregivers to have the space to hold private discussions or collaborate on patient care plans without feeling confined or isolated. The open workstations are arranged in clusters, allowing staff to work in teams and communicate easily. The conference rooms are furnished with tables, chairs, and screens, enabling staff to hold meetings and presentations. The staff offices also have windows that bring in natural daylight, which benefits both staff and patients. Studies show that natural light improves mood and well-being, making it a vital component in designing mental health facilities. The windows also offer views of the surrounding landscape, creating a connection to the outside world and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the workspace.

The strategically placed nurses’ home base is at the heart of the facility, nestled between the Observation and Stabilization Units. This pivotal design element serves as a multifunctional hub, facilitating patient observation and adapting to the ebb and flow of staffing needs. It offers versatile spaces for seamless movement and supervision at all hours, supporting patient privacy and comfort. The home base houses a welcoming reception desk, serving as the primary liaison for patients and visitors and the operational core of the facility. It also includes essential areas such as a medication dispensary, a charting space, and amenities for staff. Its design incorporates windows with adjustable blinds, providing a clear view into the sleeping areas and enabling distant patient monitoring.

The patient rooms are designed with tranquility and safety in mind. They minimize noise and external stimuli, while their windows introduce abundant natural light and frame views of the surrounding natural environment, creating a serene and healing atmosphere.

Managing budgetary constraints was one of the most challenging aspects of designing these facilities. The project involved multiple stakeholders, including county officials, hospitals, and mental health agencies, all committed to finding the necessary funding to bring the vision to life.

Despite financial limitations, the team remained dedicated to maintaining the design philosophy from start to finish, finding creative solutions to fund therapeutic furniture and technology that would enhance the care environment.

Project stakeholders worked closely with the county and the community to secure grants, donations, and partnerships that would help cover the project’s costs. For example, the team received a grant from the Sunflower Foundation to fund the outdoor spaces for staff and patients and a donation from the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association to finance the fitness room for staff. The team also partnered with the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Design to involve students in the design process, as well as with local artists and businesses to provide artwork and furnishings for the facility.

The team also used value engineering and sustainable design strategies to reduce the expenses and environmental impact of the project. For example, the team incorporated energy-efficient features such as LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and high-performance insulation. The team also selected durable and low-maintenance materials, such as vinyl flooring, laminate countertops, and metal roofing, that would withstand the wear and tear of the facility and minimize the need for repairs and replacements.

This thoughtful approach to budget management and a commitment to maintaining the design philosophy from start to finish exemplified the team’s dedication to creating a space that met the needs of staff and patients alike, despite financial challenges.

The design strategies implemented to enhance the workspace for staff and caregivers have been met with a highly positive reception. Staff members have reported an increase in comfort, support, and motivation within their work environment.

This improvement has also extended to their job satisfaction and performance. Additionally, there has been a noticeable uptick in positive interactions between staff, patients, colleagues, and visitors, accompanied by favorable feedback from patients and their families. These beneficial outcomes are directly attributed to the thoughtful incorporation of design features tailored to meet the staff’s needs and preferences.

Conclusion

The Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing the mental health needs of a community. The facility is expected to improve the quality of life and well-being of the patients and staff and to reduce the burden on the jail and the emergency room and serves as a model and inspiration for other communities that are looking for effective and humane solutions to the mental health crisis.