‘Recovery is a journey, not a destination.’ These murals comfort people in crisis
Five colorful murals painted on the walls of the Compass Health Whatcom County Triage Center are helping people feel more comfortable as they get assistance to work through behavioral health-related crises.
The triage center, a multi-day inpatient facility, partnered with Bellingham’s Make.Shift Art Space to commission local artists to paint the murals in the center.
Since the murals were completed in January of 2022, triage center clients have expressed new feelings of comfort and relaxation, according to Compass Health Clinical Nurse Manager Elyse Simmons.
“A lot of inpatient programs can feel sterile and institutional. But these murals play a huge role in brightening the space and creating a relaxing environment,” Simmons said in a telephone interview with The Bellingham Herald.
It can be difficult for people to check into an unknown facility when they are already experiencing a crisis, so first impressions are critical, according to Simmons.
“I brought in a client who was very stressed and unsure,” Simmons said. “But as soon as she saw the murals, she immediately felt comfortable and welcomed.”
Each mural depicts a different serene environment.
One shows a 24/7 skyline that starts with a sunrise on one side, turns into a sunset and then becomes an evening setting with stars and a moon.
Another mural features trees and a mountainscape that says “Recovery is a journey, not a destination.”
“It’s super important for us to focus on the client’s experience and that we’re fostering a welcoming, safe and positive environment for them,” Simmons said.
Jes Bonin, Glynn Rosenberg and Stevie Shao were the three local artists commissioned to bring the murals to life.
As someone who is open about struggling with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, Rosenberg said the work felt particularly impactful.
“It was personally moving for me and emotional. It’s really amazing to bring some creativity and color into a space like this,” Rosenberg said.
The project was funded by the Whatcom County Health Department, Whatcom Community Foundation’s David Edward Fund and donors Ellen Posel and Francis Posel.
The Compass Health Whatcom County Triage Center is a 16-bed, voluntary admittance facility for people with behavioral health issues that is open to anyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
It offers a variety of services including:
▪ Mental health assessments and stabilization.
▪ Medication evaluation and administration.
▪ Individual and peer support services.
▪ 24/7 nurse care.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
CORRECTION: A donor’s name was corrected Oct. 31, 2022, and the number of beds and types of issues addressed at the triage center were corrected Nov. 1, 2022.
