Cancer, Depression & Biophilia

The human experience is thought to be completely unique for people across the world, but there is one unfortunate commonality that ties us all together: cancer. Cancer is an invasive and deadly disease that has lifelong impacts on patients and their families. The disease is known to severely impact patients’ physical health, but a lesser known burden is the effect on their mental well being. Rates of suicide are two to four times higher in those with cancer than the general population, and this is no accident (Ignatius & Garza, 2019). The feeling of helplessness and demoralization swells in these times of vulnerability, and the facilities that are in place to help improve these side effects often do a poor job. The lack of nature in healthcare facilities directly impacts patients’ pain tolerance, ability to focus, stress levels, and more. This study goes in depth describing the ways mental health is improved by including plants and other natural elements into healthcare interiors. By studying existing and proposed healthcare facilities, and by surveying and interviewing people directly impacted by the disease, this research uncovers the best and worst ways to design for recovery and rehabilitation.