By Dan Hounsell

The strong link between the design and condition of buildings and the health and wellbeing of their occupants has come to the forefront over the last 14 months as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare facilities managers to rethink operations and materials to protect occupant health. A new set of resources is helping managers expand their efforts into behavioral health settings.

The Center for Health Design has expanded its Behavioral & Mental Health Toolbox with new resources, according to Medical Construction & Design. Each toolbox contains a library of Center staff-curated content – including research findings, expert insights, strategies, and tools — that connect the built environment to better health outcomes and reduced cost of care.

In partnership with Accurate Lock & Hardware, Altro, Whitehall Manufacturing and architecture+, the center is providing access to all behavioral and mental health materials produced for this toolbox free and open to all through February 2022.

The toolbox is designed to assist healthcare organizations, designers, suppliers and others involved in the planning, design, construction and operation of behavioral and mental health facilities with pertinent tools.