Good
Design
CAN HEal
DESIGN Changes Lives
At the Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN), we believe that thoughtful, inclusive, and evidence-based design in mental health environments has the power to transform lives.
Founded in 2006, DiMHN is a registered charity and the only UK organisation solely dedicated to improving mental healthcare environments through better design.
Who we are
We are a diverse Network of professionals with expertise rooted in lived experience research, clinical practice, architecture, lived experience, and design. As a collective, we are involved in planning, designing, building, managing, and delivering services in spaces that impact our mental health.
What unites us is a shared belief: good design, truly co-produced with those it serves, leads to better mental health outcomes.
Our Origin Story
DiMHN emerged from a collective determination to do better.
Designers, manufacturers, clinicians, and people with lived experience had a shared frustration: mental health environments are too often created without a true understanding of their impact on therapeutic outcomes.
This diverse group of stakeholders started working together across professions, perspectives, and experiences to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change.
Together, we can transform mental health design and its impact on therapeutic outcomes.
Our Vision and Purpose
Our Vision: Good design and genuine co-production lead to the realisation of human value.
Our purpose is to improve mental health outcomes through better design.
We do this by sharing good practice, promoting inclusive approaches, and disseminating evidence-based research to inform the design of mental health environments. Rooted in lived experience and real-world evidence, our work raises awareness of how design can influence mental wellbeing.
Together, we champion co-production, drive innovation, and help create environments to meet the needs of those who use and provide mental health care.
Together, We Make a Difference
Together, we can make a difference in mental health design and its impact on therapeutic outcomes.
Through design, we can help change lives.
“DIMHN gives me the opportunity to learn, share, challenge, and develop my understanding of the constraints and opportunities presented by Mental Health design. Uniquely, DIMHN has created an ecosystem of clinicians, designers, service users, manufacturers and constructors, and a platform to allow parallel and contemporaneous thinking in the development of healthier, people-centric approaches to be shared for the benefit of all.”
– Stuart McArthur, Healthcare Sector Leader, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Who We Work With
We collaborate with organisations delivering mental health support and services, product manufacturers, designers, architects, academic institutions, technologists, service users, and international partners. We also work closely with standards bodies and testing organisations, including the Building Research Establishment (BRE), to improve the quality and safety of products used in mental health settings .
Our Key Areas of Work:
1. Innovation & Testing
We lead the Informed Choices initiative in partnership with BRE to ensure products used in mental health environments are rigorously and independently tested, improving safety, reliability, and patient outcomes.
Learn more about our Innovation & Testing here>
2. Membership engagement
Our members benefit from:
- A supportive and informed community
- Stay informed with industry news and trends
- Networking and collaboration opportunities
- Access to research, real-world evidence and international learning
- Build your professional and organisational profile
- Discounted access to conferences and advertising for commercial members
- Draw from the insights and experiences of our Lived Experience Advisory Network (LEAN)
- It's free for individuals to join
3.
Research & Education
Through our acclaimed “Design with People in Mind’ book series, of ten books and counting, we translate cutting-edge research into practical guidance on topics such as sound, seclusion, nature, art, and international design perspectives.
We also publish “The Network”, our quarterly magazine. It’s where ideas come together, from on-the-ground insights to expert commentary, member stories to sector innovation. The magazine keeps our community informed, inspired, and connected to the evolving landscape of mental health design.
Become a member to access these resources.
Learn more about our Research & Education here>
4.
Global collaboration
We are actively exploring opportunities to expand our global impact, starting with North America.
DiMHN is currently collaborating with a growing network of architects and healthcare leaders in the United States and Canada to establish strong connections and promote our shared commitment to enhancing mental health outcomes through improved design.
We invite organisations worldwide to reach out and explore partnership opportunities.
Contact us to discuss international collaboration>
DiMHN is proud of our annual Design in Mental Health Conference and Exhibition, the UK’s leading event dedicated to mental health environments.
The conference is organised and delivered by Step Exhibitions Ltd, a professional events company. As an independent charity, DiMHN’s partnership with Step Exhibitions is governed by a formal agreement. Income generated through this partnership directly supports our charitable activities.
DiMHN plays a central role in shaping the conference content to ensure it aligns closely with our purpose and values.
We are committed to transparency in all our partnerships. If you have any questions about our relationship with Step Exhibitions or any other aspect of our work, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our commercial and corporate members benefit from exclusive discounts and advertising opportunities as part of their membership.
Find out more about Conference Partnership>
The Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Forum (MHDF) is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the design, build, or management of mental health and dementia care environments.
Held over one and a half days, the forum brings together professionals from NHS Foundation Trusts, private providers, care homes, and architectural practices for a tailored programme of one-to-one business meetings, expert seminars, and networking opportunities.
MHDF is a space for productive conversations and meaningful connections that help drive better, safer, and more dignified environments for people accessing mental health and dementia services.
Find out more about the MHDF Partnership>
Get to know the passionate, skilled individuals behind our vision.
Meet the Board Members>
Want to learn more about membership?
Join us in shaping the future of mental health environments through good design.
Become an individual or corporate member today.