In This Episode
As our U.S. Olympian, Simone Biles, reminded us during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, we must prioritize the fitness of our minds and our emotions. Much like the "spikes" in viral cases during the pandemic, we are now encountering a "spike" of those who are struggling with mental illness and require treatment. The numbers are staggering, and some predict a wave of patients that our already taxed healthcare system will struggle to accommodate.
What we need is an alternative solution that rethinks what short-term and long-term treatment could look like. We also need a solution that breaks down stigmas traditionally associated with this type of care. In this episode we chat with University of Toronto students Bronte Morris-Poolman and Damian Kercz about how their senior thesis project, Art x Pop-Up could be the exact solution we need. Their idea is to design "crisis stabilization units" that are strategically placed in communities to provide critical mental health services. We also speak to Stacey Root and Stephanie Vito from Cannon Design on how to design for mental health spaces, the history of mental health stigma, and the future of "Wellness Campuses" that combine care and amenities for a more equitable experience for all.
Listen here on Apple Music.
"We're starting to see a trend where mental health services are being integrated more and more into a 'community wellness campus'. So we can think about these services along the entire community."
STEPHANIE VITO, MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DESIGN LEADER AT CANNON DESIGN
Host and Guests in this Episode
Host: Kaelynn Reid
As a Certified Design Futurist and the Host of Kimball International’s Alternative Design podcast, Kaelynn encourages designers to make creative decisions today for a more promising human experience tomorrow.
Guest: Bronte Morris-Poolman
University of Toronto Student
Guest: Damian Kercz
University of Toronto Student
Guest: Stacey Root
Health Practice Leader at Cannon Design
Guest: Stephanie Vito
Mental and Behavioral Health Design Leader at Cannon Design