Mercy Hospital's psychiatric unit gets ‘peaceful’ art addition

Patients suffering from mental illness can find some peace of mind by looking at a new mural in Mercy Medical Center’s psychiatric unit, thanks to a nonprofit dedicated to brightening up healthcare facilities with art.

In partnership with Splashes for Hope, an organization of artists that creates artwork for patients, their families and the professionals that care for them, Mercy commissioned a 4 by 8-foot painting featuring a gazebo park scene to be installed in its psychiatric unit on Aug. 29.

“I think it’ll improve the aesthetic of the unit to make it more welcoming to patients and visitors and staff,” said Margaret Reddan, director of nurses at Mercy Medical Center.

The mural — intended to be “relaxing and therapeutic” — was placed on the wall opposing the entrance to the wing, an otherwise pink-colored and bleak wall. She said Mercy had previously added a mural, but in the rehabilitation unit. There will be another piece of art coming to the hospital in the future, Reddan said.

The nurses, with members of Splashes for Hope, collaborated on the design. In fact, nurse manager Pamela Stengel’s dog, Cody, was placed on the bench in the picture.

“We did a peaceful nature scene so patients can gaze out and feel they are in a lovely place,” said Sarah Beacher, the creative director for Splashes of Hope. “Our goal is to improve the lives of patients and make it easier for the staff to complete their goals … and for the patients to feel like this is a friendly place to come and feel better.”

This project was made possible through funding from Mercy’s Council of Leagues, a group that takes on special requests outside of the hospital’s budget. Doreen Baldwin, president of the group, said the mural was about $2,500.

“It was one of the needs, and we wanted to see the patients be successful and the staff enjoying whatever projects we can help complete,” Baldwin said. “It’ll benefit the patients in the end and ultimately that is always our goal.”