Mental health

Occupational therapists see people with all types of mental distress who are experiencing difficulty with everyday tasks such as employment, self care and leisure

Occupational therapists help people develop a personally satisfying routine of everyday activities that creates a sense of purpose and direction to life. They will facilitate people becoming involved in activities that support their mental health and wellbeing by balancing activities between work, rest and play. An occupational therapist can:

• help people improve their self care with prompting and support to learn how, for example, to use washing machines or to cook for themselves
• help people manage their money by learning budgeting skills and how to use banks
• support people to live independently by providing systems to assist for example, dealing with mail, bills or negotiating with neighbours
• work with people to identify and improve work skills, apply for jobs and stay in employment including liaison with potential and current employers
• help people to access and use mainstream leisure activities like football, gyms, cinema
• help people change the environments around them to make it easier for them to take part in activities, for example, ensuring a supportive friend is available to go swimming with.
• write occupational therapy reports which suggest how much assistance a person may need to live independently in the long term.

   

Shazir was a young man with mental health problems who was struggling to cope at home after his parents died

Shazir's occupational therapist worked with him to improve his ability to budget, shop and cook for himself and then helped him learn how to manage his laundry. The occupational therapist also worked with Shazir’s brother so that he would manage any repairs that needed doing around the house.
 
At this point Shazir felt ready to do some voluntary work which the OT helped him find in a local charity shop.  After doing this for several months, the occupational therapist helped Shazir apply and secure a part time job. Over a period of 18 months Shazir changed from a man who rarely left his home and became a valued person in his local community.