Navigating New Realities: The Role of Community Wellness Hub in Crisis Scenarios

Vibha Belle // Adviser: Jihyun Song

Navigating New Realities: The Role of Community Wellness Hub in Crisis Scenarios

Pandemics, climate crises, and sociopolitical upheavals disrupt traditional structures, leaving individuals and communities in prolonged states of uncertainty. Emotions are heightened, perceptions are altered, and memories may be distorted. These are moments of uncertainty, when past identity may not serve, and future identity is yet to be realized. In these moments, civilians rely on frontline workers for support and refuge. While they offer unwavering support to us during the crisis, who are the ones taking care of them? As frontline workers deal with multiple crises during their lifetime, they are in a constant state of liminality - caught between processing past experiences and confronting new challenges. Despite their critical role at the time of crisis, frontline workers frequently encounter substantial obstacles in accessing mental health support. The thesis explores how existing liminal spaces can be designed to offer a therapeutic environment to help frontline workers adapt to change, regain stability, re-discover their identities, and provide a space for the community in anticipation of future crisis events.