Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind

Sponsored by CHPS and GBRI

Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 11:00am EST

Author Claire Latané joined CHPS to discuss her 2021 book, Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind.

What would a school look like if it was designed with mental health in mind? Too many public schools look and feel like prisons, but we know that nurturing environments are better for learning. Research consistently shows that access to nature, big classroom windows, and open campuses reduce stress, anxiety, disorderly conduct, and crime, and improve academic performance. But too few school designers and decision-makers apply this research to create healthy schools. In her book, Schools That Heal, Claire details the myriad opportunities—from furniture to classroom improvements to whole campus renovations—to make supportive learning environments for our children and teenagers.