Why lighting matters more than we think – especially in mental health spaces.
For many of us, light is something we flick on and forget. But for Dr Shelley James, lighting designer, TEDx speaker, and now Associate of the Design in Mental Health Network, it's a vital tool for health, empowerment, and healing.
Shelley describes light as a language.One that speaks directly to our body and brain. Ahead of her upcoming presentation at DiMHN's Lighting for Mental Health webinar and her talk at the DIMH 2026 conference, Smart Lighting as a Catalyst for Person-centred Care, we sat down with her to talk about the science of lighting, the spaces that still get it wrong, and why lighting must be seen as a core health intervention — not just a decorative afterthought.
Shelley's early career was in branding and environmental design, working with global brands like Visa and Shell.
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