In today’s fast-paced environments, creating mindful communities that value and recognize the importance of mental health is imperative for the younger generation to thrive. For students, Gen Z people or younger residents, communities that focus on well-being can cultivate a sense of connection and awareness, thus helping them better overcome daily challenges and cultivate resilience.
There are a few essential elements to consider when you want to create mindful communities. Safety and trust are crucial when it comes to how students or younger residents engage with your communities. And community-building activities or amenities also encourage them to foster connections and offer them a sense of belonging.
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There are several initiatives to support the overall well-being and mental health of younger residents, students in particular, such as the College Student Mental Health Advocacy Coalition, formed by 24 companies, which delves into major mental health struggles among students through its Thriving College Student Index. By interviewing over 18,000 students across those communities, the coalition was able to get a grasp of the most important aspects of students’ mental health and come up with initiatives to support their well-being.
More so, other projects or initiatives, such as KTGY’s Thrive Hall design concept, focus on the main elements for students to thrive in their communities, such as an active lifestyle, intentional study spaces, quality rest and connecting to nature and the community, as well as mental health support. Whether it’s through surveying residents, reinforcing a sense of community or with design elements, here are some ways to create mindful communities that support the well-being of residents.
Create community amenities for connection
Mindful communities should foster a sense of connection and openness, encouraging students to interact with each other. More so, younger residents are more likely to have a better mental state if they feel connected to the place they live in.
“57 percent of students that responded to the survey and indicated they had very good mental health also indicated they felt strongly connected to their communities,” Gina Cowart, senior vice president of brand, marketing and communications at American Campus Communities, said. “Onsite team members can impact wellness for their residents by providing them opportunities for connection, by engaging with them in conversation, and by being willing to provide resources if needed.”
Additionally, Cowart mentioned that a strong connection between communities and students influences their well being, as 76 percent of students that feel connected to the place they live in smile a lot and 77 percent feel comfortable talking about their mental health. When focusing on mental health, developers can promote social contact through thoughtful common areas that encourage younger people to interact and participate in activities.
By creating green areas, you also encourage them to be mindful of their physical health and promote an overall sense of calmness. “Large gathering spaces where students can connect are important and are very popular among residents,” Coward added. “Additionally, providing outdoor areas where students can gather and study has proven to be helpful.”
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Aim for mindful design elements
Design and sensory elements can play a pivotal role in supporting mental health. You can easily create a calm and welcoming environment by incorporating colors known to represent mindfulness, making sure that bedrooms have access to plenty of light and creating a pleasant atmosphere with abundant green spaces. Natural environments and biophilic design can also support students’ mental health.
“Connections to the outside and nature improve a student’s overall health and well-being, enabling them to concentrate and learn,” said Judith Hoskens, an associate at AIA. “From reducing eye strain to lowering blood pressure levels, students are better able to bring their full selves into the learning process.”
As for other design elements, Hoskens mentioned some design strategies employed by architects to create a culture of connections and care, which supports mental health initiatives. Some of those include:
- Appropriate lighting, room temperature, smells and noise to reduce trauma
- Clear wayfinding to reduce stress
- Having and locating Counseling Services close to the students for easy accessibility
- Spaces that encourage movement & play stimulating brain activity
- Daylighting to connect the outside and inside
- Spaces that are warm, inviting and comfortable—ask the students to identify their favorite hangout space
Cultivate a sense of inclusivity and create space for mental health conversations
Fostering a sense of inclusivity is also important, as it creates the necessary space for awareness and cultivates a sense of belonging. More so, creating events and project that honor diversity helps students interact with each other without prejudices and welcomes differences among them.
“When examining healthy, safe and welcoming environments through the lens of a student, we need to honor their desire to just be themselves, be heard and be accepted for who they are,” said Hoskens. “As such we need to understand that the quality of any human-to-human experience boils down to the quality of relationships.” Residents who have a stronger sense of belonging are more likely to have better mental health outcomes and actively be a part of the community.
It’s also important to remove stigma around mental health conversations. Campaigns against stigma promote candid discussions, dispel myths and foster an environment where people feel at ease talking about mental health. Staff members and community leaders who get mental health awareness training are better equipped to offer assistance and services when required. The Thriving College Student Index shows that 71 percent of respondents said they could find professional help when needed, but only 53 percent mentioned they would be able to find professional help that understands their background.
“Uniting as an industry and working with a network of mental wellness advocates, the Coalition will use this data to create programs that prioritize mental wellness, including ways to help its residents effectively stay engaged and ask questions, starting with, ‘Hi, how are you?’” added Cowart.
The Coalition partnered with the Hi, How Are You Project, honoring the late artist and musician Daniel Johnston, to encourage students to check on each other and destigmatize conversations around mental health. Additionally, the Coalition will partner with the JED Foundation to create training materials for onsite team members in the student housing industry and increase its impact on residents’ mental wellness, according to Cowart.
Pro Tip: Ask for feedback
One of the most important steps in creating mindful communities that promote wellbeing is asking for feedback and ensuring that your ongoing efforts are effective. Think about it as a compass that allows you to improve your initiatives to better suit your residents’ changing needs. Besides making two-way communication possible, feedback promotes cooperation and shared responsibility. It allows residents to offer their input and shows them that their opinions are respected and play a significant role in creating a pleasant environment.
“Surveys have proven to be an effective way to gather feedback,” Cowart said. “In addition, many students leave reviews for their communities and will indicate what amenities they enjoy and what created a positive experience for them.”
