with distinctive color schemes and motifs, providing both patients and caregivers with a clear sense of orientation. The design team thoroughly researched materials and finishes to blur the line between hospitality and security, normalize the therapeutic experience and minimize the institutional feel. This meant very carefully specifying everything from plumbing fixtures to door hardware and carpeting, to provide a comfortable, safe and secure environment. For instance, the design team identified a special flocked flooring material, not unlike the outside of a tennis ball: Forbo Flotex Textile Flooring. Because carpet can be unwound and become a ligature, the challenge was to find a material that was safe, comforting, supportive of patient wellness, durable, cleanable and met the desired aesthetic. Other normalizing design features include layered lighting from multiple sources and distinctive wall textures that provide a positive distraction for visual tracing. Integrated ceiling and floor materials provide acoustical settings that allow conversations to be heard but not overhead. All the beds in the center are full-sized, because most adults in the U.S. are accustomed to sleeping on larger beds. As nature can be an essential component of patients’ care regimens, the HMHI Crisis Care Center offers access to open air, including ample views of the surrounding landscape and admittance to outdoor healing gardens. The gardens provide a therapeutic, calming space for patients to relax, feel secure and experience the positive effects of nature through carefully selected landscape materials, varied textural paths and thoughtful groundcover choices. Comprehensive support services provide holistic care for each patient. An on-site mental health clinic offers immediate counseling and connects patients to more specialized, long-term therapy providers and options. Physical health and basic needs support are accommodated through a small medical clinic, dental clinic and legal services. These services are tailored to address the common needs of the patient population experiencing acute crises. Dolan says, “Huntsman Mental Health Institute is a unique group. They take things to higher levels, so that patients and providers feel like they are being taken care of.” To reinforce the Institute’s vision — to free the world from mental health stigma and suffering, and advance hope and healing for all — no one is turned away. Mental health crisis stabilization is provided to any adult regardless of their ability to pay. The HMHI Crisis Care Center is also a training site for the next generations of crisis care professionals, including social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists and more. An integrated research component will gather and disseminate data to support caregivers in implementing new findings into clinical practice. In addition, the facility includes areas for community outreach, training, research, and education to teach others about mental health and how to care for loved ones. There are research components throughout the building to shorten the loop for putting research into clinical practice. Not only does the outreach program extend the scope of care for individual patients, but it also reinforces the critical notion that mental health treatment is indeed healthcare. The opening of the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center has been transformational in our community, serving as a warm and welcoming place for those experiencing mental health crises. This facility has filled a gap by providing intentional care to those who need it and serving as a much-needed resource for law enforcement, social services, first responders, and community partners to connect those they serve with lifesaving mental health services. 22 REFLEXION
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