Kelsey Zlevor on Designing Public Spaces for Mental Health

About this Episode

How can a public space help someone who’s in the middle of a depressive episode? And what does it mean to design with emotional experiences in mind?

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, planner and design researcher Kelsey Zlevor joins APA Editor in Chief Meghan Stromberg to explore how parks, streetscapes, and public spaces can be intentionally crafted to support people living with depression and anxiety. Drawing from dozens of interviews and her own lived experience, Kelsey introduces four design amendments that planners can use to shape spaces that feel more emotionally inclusive and less overwhelming — particularly for people navigating mental health conditions.

The conversation builds on Kelsey’s illustrated book Mental Landscapes, a self-published guide designed to help planners, designers, and community leaders take the emotional and psychological experience of place seriously — without making it clinical or inaccessible.

“I think we’re all experts in how we feel in a space. Sometimes the most powerful design insight comes from just noticing what we wish we could do — and asking why we can’t.” — Kelsey Zlevor

Together, Meghan and Kelsey unpack what it means to feel seen in public space, why awe and observation matter, and how something as simple as removing a “Keep Off the Grass” sign can open the door to healing. Whether you're a park planner, an equity advocate, or someone navigating your own emotional landscape, this episode offers insight into the subtle power of design — and the radical potential of listening. 

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