Architects can design lifesaving spaces for students

Her comments relate to International Men’s Day, a time of recognition of the role men can play in creating a healthier and safer society. The focus for 2023 is the reduction of incidents of self-harm and suicidal ideation in young men. 

A loss of security provided by family, friends and familiar surroundings can be a flashpoint for those who may already struggle with anxiety, stress, or depression. Being immersed in university life can be daunting and for some young adults, it can trigger emotional unease. Wellbeing teams at the University of East London are aware that young men who have considered self-harm and suicide before starting university are at high risk. 

Psychologists and mental health charities have identified peak periods for spikes in self-harm. This analysis is not always gender specific as women and young girls who recover from mental health challenges tend to share their experiences more often. Conversely, men across all age groups trend more towards hiding their struggles with mental health and wellbeing. Non-disclosure is also more likely amongst young males from ethnic groups where traditionally men are patriarchal figures.

Men resident in the UK, are three times more likely to self-harm or attempt suicide than women. Within this vulnerable group, young men are at highest risk. Of the 1.2 million young adult males studying at university – many are living away from home for the first time. Researchers from the International Society for Affective Disorders have identified a trend for increased self-harm and suicidal ideation during the autumn and mid-winter months. 

Distance from home may encourage the idea that the anonymity of university or a different city or town is a preferred environment to act on the urge to self-harm. Design and architecture can play preventative roles. As an official security initiative, the Metropolitan Police assures the public that ‘Safer by Design’ works to improve security, providing safe places to live, work, shop and visit.”

While lifesaving design is integral to some North American campuses, British architects say the UK profession could do more

Internationally, architects have gone on record to encourage the profession to consider the correlation between industrial design and enabling self-harm. Their collective view on incorporating safety directly into architectural design aligns with UEL’s approach to follow the ‘Secured by Design’ model.  Globally, some universities have installed aesthetically sheathed walkways, muted lighting in open spaces, and natural sounds like running water can calm anxiety. More preventative measures can always be implemented. 

In the UK, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have discussed how architects can incorporate suicide prevention in new designs and via retrofitting more secure elements. Lifesaving elements can be normative in contemporary design, not only for universities, but for all public spaces. Examples are presented in one of America’s most diverse and densely populated centres of learning.

At New York University (NYU), Elmer Holmes Bobst Library was designed with suicide prevention in mind. First, to discourage individuals from jumping from the highest level of the 12-storey building to the atrium floor, an optical illusion was incorporated. Looking down into the centre of the atrium, it would appear as though the floor consisted of raised spikes. When those who were most determined succeeded in harming themselves, the university installed plexiglass barriers. However, these were not a strong enough deterrent and so NYU employed an aesthetic remedy. Walkways were shielded with pixelated aluminium barriers designed by Yale professor Joel Sanders, founder of JSA/MIX design. 

When interviewed by ArtNet News about how architects could design public spaces with the purpose of preserving life, Professors Sanders said: “Though suicide prevention is now beginning to enter the conversation, there is still a great deal of stigma and shame surrounding the topic, which continues to hamper efforts to address this issue.”

Dr Do-Rosario-Benrós who has also taught in New York state agrees that incidents of students falling either intentionally or through misadventure is something that is an issue for universities, regardless of location.

The police initiative is important for safeguarding but has not been implemented with suicide prevention in mind. “Designing for safety is primarily to deter active crimes like vandalism, assaults, or terrorism, the design component offers preventative aspects by default. These can delay someone following through on self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Additional time to breach a taller physical barrier on a walkway is time when an individual who is struggling emotionally may reconsider harming themselves. In that time, cameras may capture an intended suicide, giving security teams space to attend the scene before an event occurs.

UEL’s Docklands campus has been designed and planned with safety in mind. Architects cannot completely prevent suicides in public buildings or on university campuses, but broadly the profession supports designing for safety. Visibility, integration, efficient lighting, and supervision using CCTV cameras can also deter crime or self-harm. These elements can and should be planned by designers in detailed design stages.”

UEL students are encouraged to engage in peer support and reach out to wellbeing teams

UEL’s wellbeing resources are in place so that crises can be averted, and lives saved by individuals feeling safe to express a sense of being overwhelmed by undergraduate life. A well-designed environment benefits from an open culture. 

Peer support during critical times can be a further safeguard for students at risk. Anyone recognising signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression within their social group – or importantly, noticing and welcoming anyone who struggles to navigate university, can make a difference. Listening, sharing information about mental health support and being proactive about reaching out to the university’s wellbeing services can be lifesaving. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or depression, confidential help is available from UEL’s Wellbeing Service.