When a child presents at an inpatient mental health treatment program, they are living in a world that is out-of-proportion. From the very first step onto an inpatient unit, the healing process begins, and the environment that surrounds the patient has a profound effect on how the patient responds to treatment.
As discussion on the need for effective mental health treatment grows, the environments that organizations create take on greater importance, especially for pediatrics. Looking at the research, this paper examines how spaces that support individual choices, physical and emotional needs, and safety can enhance the care and treatment of child and adolescent patients.