A meditation pagoda was unveiled at Hillview Lodge in a special Buddhist ceremony.
Jin Ho | The Bath Chronicle
The idea for the pagoda came from the mental health patients at the unit, based at the Royal United Hospital.
During their regular therapy sessions with Taiwanese Buddhist nun Jin Ho they said they wanted to have a calm space.
The pagoda was designed by Evelyn Body and built by Pieter Von Deepen, and was opened by Jin in a Buddhist ceremony attended by patients.
Jin said: “It will help patients feel relaxed and calm, and in touch with their soul.
“You have to look into your heart and be at peace to be truly happy.
“I think it is remarkable that the hospital has accepted me here to do the ceremony, it shows there is no religious discrimination.”
The pagoda is designed to be a calm space where patients can meditate and relax.
It is a space for all patients to use, regardless of their faith.
Occupational therapy lead Peter Aston said: “This idea came out of the therapy sessions, so it was what the patients wanted to see.
“It will give them a space to go to meditate, think or simply just get away from it all.
“It is important to take in both spirituality and medicine when treating a mental health patient.”