Physical environments playing a crucial role in supporting mental health and wellbeing

Environments that are calming and aesthetically pleasing can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, relieve tension, and contribute to a sense of security and safety.  

Project Officer Cheryl Wittingslow has a Peer Worker background and lived experience of mental distress and knowing the negative impacts of environments that are not trauma informed and calming. Cheryl is currently working on a ‘Facilities Renewal Project’ for SESLHD to create more welcoming, comfortable and trauma informed spaces for clients of the Mental Health Service within the inpatient and community settings.  

Consulting with staff, SESLHD’s Consumer Advisory Group and consumers of the service, Cheryl is coordinating upgrades to over 16 spaces. Some areas will receive a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, full wall prints installations and exercise equipment.  

Sustainability, minimal waste and upcycling has been an important part of this project where furniture in the current spaces have been reproposed in other areas and reupholstering has taken place in spaces where the furniture was still in relatively good condition but could do with an uplift. 

Cheryl won the ‘Collaborative Staff Member of the Year 2021’ Award at the SESLHD Healthcare Awards for her previous work refurbishing the Maroubra Centre, a Community Mental Health building, part of Eastern Suburbs Mental Health Service. 

Staff have also been very appreciative and provided the following feedback: 

“The Euroa waiting room now feels welcoming, bright, and colourful. It makes a huge difference. So, thank you again.”  

“It's so nice to see the environment being improved for our Consumers. The lounges look lovely. Really appreciate your work on this project - it's had a great impact!”.