1. COLOUR PALETTECOLOUR PALETTE Impact of Colour Within Mental Health Environments

2. Studies have shown that therapeutic environments lead to speedy patient recovery, reduced medication, better quality of care and greater patient satisfaction. Also, it has been shown that improved environments impact upon staff in the form of reduction in stress, lowering staff turnover and attracting and retaining high quality staff. Truly therapeutic environments help repair the body physically, mentally and emotionally.

3. Use of Colour Our appreciation of colour is not just a conscious sensation. Unconsciously, colour has a profound effect on our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. The right use of colour can help to heal, ease tension and support harmony. Therefore, whilst colour is not an expensive medium, however its use is extremely potent and if used sensitively, can promote mental well being.

4. High gloss finishes should be avoided for floor, wall, door and ceiling surfaces. Large repeating patterns that incorporate bold contrasting colours should not be used in parts of the building where visual acuity is critical. The use of dark colours within mental health environments should be avoided at all cost. Dark colours should only be used as accent colours and the use of these kept to a minimum. The use of red/burgundy/terracotta should also be avoided. Colour palettes should be restricted to the pastel end of the colour spectrum to ensure that the environment is uplifting and therapeutic.

5. Noise There are fundamental psychological and physiological responses to certain stimuli. Noise increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and even blood cholesterol levels. It lowers pain thresholds, keeping the brain over stimulated and increasing the need for medication. Noise reduction is vital in mental health environments. In contrast, the sound of music, wind, rain, wind and birds can calm and create a sense of well being. Pleasant sounds create sensations of pleasure affecting the limbic system. They improve the function of the autonomic nervous system. Pleasant sounds as opposed to noise reduce blood pressure, heart rates and respiration, effecting calm. Ceiling, wall and floor materials should contribute to an acoustic environment that helps orientation and enables audible information to be clearly heard.

6. Sensorial Finishings Touch is the confirmatory sense, in that touch gathers information confirming data received by other senses. Textural surfaces can aid a partially sighted person to navigate through space, form a blind person’s total environment and assist a mental health patient’s transition from ethereal world to reality. The extent to which floor, wall, door and ceiling surfaces enable disabled people to find their bearings and maintain their independent use of a building is influenced by:

7.  The colour, luminance and texture of the surfaces  The treatment of components and finishing elements, such as doors, architraves, handrails etc  The correct use of surfaces to clarify location and direction and to identify objects  The acoustic environment  The grip of floor surfaces particularly when there are changes in levels

8. Conclusion The environment for people with mental health problems has a significant impact on an individual’s well being and recovery rate. Care should be given to the use of colour and different materials in order to ensure that a truly responsive environment is created.

9. Aqua and Turquoise IMPACT Relaxing, calming, subdues aggression RECOMMENDED AREAS Bathrooms

10. Pale Pink IMPACT Calming, restful. Reduces aggression/violence. Reduces anger RECOMMENDED AREAS De-escalation rooms Offices

11. Hot Pink IMPACT Increases heart rate and blood pressure. Not to be used in areas where people are anxious/aggressive and prone to violence RECOMMENDED AREAS Nil

12. Peach IMPACT Lowers moods, depressing RECOMMENDED AREAS NIL

13. Red IMPACT Increase blood pressure and respiration rate. Promotes aggression. Certain reds can induce epileptic fits RECOMMENDED AREAS NIL

14. Blue IMPACT Balancing, calm and rejuvenating. Tranquil, relaxing, subdues aggression. Promotes interaction. RECOMMENDED AREAS Bedrooms Bathrooms Kitchens Dining rooms Group rooms

15. Orange IMPACT Warm, cheerful. Causes sensory overload. Promotes physical and emotional stimulation. RECOMMENDED AREAS NIL

16. Lilac IMPACT Restful, calming. RECOMMENDED AREAS Bedrooms

17. Purple IMPACT Negative influence on people with susceptible temperaments. Induces depression. RECOMMENDED AREAS NIL

18. Yellow IMPACT Promotes feelings of happiness, warmth, gregarious. Encourages creativity and emotional stimulation RECOMMENDED AREAS Activity rooms Bathrooms Kitchens Not in bedrooms – affects sleep patterns

19. Green IMPACT Relaxing, encourages optimism, calming, balance, harmony, peaceful. RECOMMENDED AREAS Lounges, Quiet rooms Bathrooms Bedrooms

20. Brown IMPACT Associated with stability, warmth, comfort, reliability. RECOMMENDED AREAS Avoid in large quantities. Good for floors.

21. Black and White IMPACT Stark and cold RECOMMENDED AREAS NIL

22. Cream IMPACT Reduces aggression/violence RECOMMENDED AREAS De-escalation areas Bedrooms