Let's Talk: OT and Mental Health

Today's blog post profiles OT and mental health in support of the Bell Let's Talk Day on February 12.
The following article was originally published on the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Blog.
 

What does occupational therapy have to do with mental health?

 

Occupational therapists are highly educated health professionals who focus on maximizing the potential of individuals through engagement in activities (or occupations) of daily living. In other words, occupational therapists work with clients to set goals and find ways to do all the things one needs to do and wants to do each day from going to work or school, to recreation, to taking care of oneself or others.

In mental health, occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, working with clients to focus on meaningful activities, realize their potential and achieve their goals. Unfortunately, the role of the occupational therapist in mental health teams is not well known. This is why the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists is committed to raising awareness of the critical role that occupational therapists can play in helping clients live full, active and more hopeful lives, assisting them to determine their goals, lead their care, and work towards recovery.

 

Charting a new course

Occupational therapy is a core component of an integrated mental health system. Occupational therapy’s understanding of the relationship between person, occupation and environment uniquely positions the profession to provide quality metal health services in environments where people live, work and play. 

For individuals with mental illness, whether it is anxiety, psychosis, addiction or a mood disorder, finding solutions to everyday challenges can be overwhelming. “People living with mental illness can experience significant disturbances in their ability to participate in and find meaning and enjoyment from the range of activities that make up daily life” (Krupa et al. page 2) These challenges are compounded by the lack of understanding of mental health in general, and the stigma or fear associated with the unknown.

What is perhaps equally as difficult in mental health is that the journey of recovery never follows a straight line. Treatment options are complex and often require years of finding the right balance of medication, counseling, social support and self-driven research and learning. This is where occupational therapists provide value to mental health teams and can be an important solution to the complexity of mental illness.
 

Occupational therapy: Solutions for daily living

Recovery refers to living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life, even when there are ongoing limitations caused by mental health problems and illnesses (Mental Health Commission of Canada).  “Along with hope and personal responsibility, participation in activities has been recognized as a key element of the recovery process” (pg 4, Action over Inertia).  Occupational Therapists contribute to the recovery process by helping clients to identify coping strategies and working with clients to find a path that incorporates meaningful activities, supportive social interactions and positive and inclusive environments.  Occupational Therapists use a person centred, strength based approach to engaging people. 

For someone who is living with schizophrenia, for example, an occupational therapist can work with this individual to better understand environmental triggers and coping strategies, establish routines by using scheduling and time management tools in order to support their engagement in work or school and  participation in social activities. 

Occupational therapists also work with families, health care providers, and stakeholder groups to educate and raise awareness about mental illness, eliminate barriers and promote mental health and wellness in the home, at work and in the community,

Understanding the value of occupation

Canadian society has begun to see a shift in awareness of mental illness and mental health. Speaking openly about the complexity mental illness and the corresponding solutions is an important first step, but what is perhaps more important is developing a system that responds to mental illness beyond the medical model of care.

Hyperlinks:

1)      Canadian Association of Occupational therapists  - hyperlink to: https://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=3627
 

2)      Mental illness – hyperlink to: http://camimh.ca/mental-illness-awareness-week-english/about-mental-illness/what-is-mental-illness/
 

3)      The position of  the Canadian Association of Occupational therapists  - hyperlink to: http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=1290

Krupa, T., Edgelow, M., Chen, S., Mieras, C., Almas, A., Perry, A., Radloff-Gabriel, D., Jackson, J., & Bransfield, M. (2010) .  Action Over Inertia: Addressing the activity-health needs of individuals with serious mental illness .

Mental Health Commission of Canada (2012). Changing Directions Changing Lives: The mental health strategy for Canada.