Greenspaces of psychiatric clinics and patient perceptions: A mixed-methods exploration

Abstract

Nature and natural elements have been proven to promote mental health and well-being but there is a research gap regarding psychiatric environments, despite the importance of psychiatric hospitals for mental health. It is essential to understand the particular characteristics relevant for patients in these settings. We conducted semi-structured in-situ interviews with patients on greenspaces around two psychiatric hospitals in Germany to identify positive and negative perceptions of natural elements and amenities. The perceptions are embedded into the perceived sensory dimensions (PSD) concept and combined with mapping data to achieve in-depth descriptions of the psychiatric greenspaces. The results show the importance of greenspaces for psychiatric patients and their positive sentiments towards those spaces. The greenspaces have to provide for diverse needs and support different uses of patients at various stages of recovery. User-sensitive and multifunctional greenspace design can reconcile conflicts of interest and contribute to a therapeutic landscape. We propose that the PSD can complement the concept of Therapeutic Landscapes, especially when the focus is on natural environments. ‘Policy implications’: Multifunctional greenspaces around psychiatric clinics can help patients to relax, enjoy the connection to nature and other people, and further their well-being. The spaces have to be carefully designed and can potentially have a therapeutic effect on people with mental-health problems and simultaneously enhance nature conservation and biodiversity. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.