The Behavioral and Mental Health Environments Network (BMH-EN) has identified Outdoor Spaces as a topic of special interest this year. The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) emphasizes the importance of access to outdoor areas as a best practice in behavioral health facility design. While not a strict requirement, outdoor spaces are strongly encouraged to support patient recovery, autonomy, and emotional well-being. There are currently no guidelines for designers to reference when planning for outdoor spaces in mental and behavioral health facilities.
The survey seeks to identify mental and behavioral health facilities that prioritize patient access to outdoor space. Additionally, it looks to understand how outdoor space is currently being integrated into behavioral health projects and its potential impact on patient care. The survey is divided into four parts: Background and Details, Design and Function, Patient Access, and Opinion.
The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete. If you have multiple projects to share, please submit additional responses. The survey will be open until the end of the month, 11/30.
Thank you for your time in advance!
Outdoor Spaces for Mental and Behavioral Health Survey – Fill out form
