Mental health is important at every stage of life. People diagnosed with mental health challenges, may experience a combination of cognitive, emotional, or behavioural deficits which impact their functioning in activities of daily living, work, social and leisure time activities. Mental illnesses can be classified as mild in that the functional impact is minor whilst severe mental illness results in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities such as work, school, family, or community life etc.
Occupational therapists create opportunities for people with a mental health disorder to participate in occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the activity or task or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement. Occupational therapists are vital role players not only in the treatment of mental illness but also in the promotion of mental health. During the recent pandemic, many people especially health professionals experienced burnout and an imbalance in their work-life roles. Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan who are at risk of having mental health illnesses to ensure that they balance their work-life activities and gain life skills such as stress management and reengaging with tasks that bring the person meaning.
Occupational therapists use standardised assessments as well as a variety of activities to determine the mental health care users’ strengths and abilities, functional limitations, and activity restrictions. Additionally, they analyse the physical, social, cultural, attitudinal and legislative environments that impact the execution of these activities to develop individualised therapeutic plans that are designed to meet the functional needs of mental health care user at that specific time in their lives.
Occupational therapists work collaboratively with other medical professionals, providing a unique therapeutic approach to regaining functional outcomes. Individual, as well as group occupational therapy treatment sessions ensure that mental health care users gain a sense of self-efficacy and accomplishment, thus treatment aims to address (but is not limited to): management of symptomology including cognitive rehabilitation, psychoeducation and relaxation therapy; establishing effective daily routines; building life skills, such as time management, planning, pacing and prioritising, stress management, coping and problem-solving skills; facilitating appropriate interpersonal skills such as effective communication, assertiveness and anger management; improving engagement in daily activities such as constructive use of free time, health and medication management, financial management and household management; developing prevocational and vocational skills such as compiling a CV, handling an interview, work competency skills, implementation of reasonable accommodations and case management; and promoting family involvement and community integration. Literature shows the effectiveness of occupational therapy in achieving functional outcomes for mental health care users. A multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach is more client-centred and offers better outcomes for the person. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to work collaboratively to achieve optimal functioning for mental health care users.
– Rulaine Smith is the Deputy Director: Occupational Therapy District Specialist Mental Health Team (DSMHT) Johannesburg Health District
Last Updated on 10 November 2022 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs