Mental Health

Thoughtful questions! I work in mental health and in response to your first question I use this term. I went straight into this area and learnt a lot about mood disorders etc, and while this is encouraged I would really encourage you to stay true to the OT theory. Being holistic is what makes us unique, treating each person regardless of their diagnosis, which often overlap. I would say that I use more practical and behavioural/ movement based approaches for those who are more anxious but find traditional talking therapies difficult. I use a lot of grading and adapting of tasks with visual aids for those on the spectrum. I use a lot of activity scheduling for those who need help prioritising, planning and organising their day (often associated with bipolar or mood disorder).

Hi there @pipsmacdonald - Further to @jenny.casson's suggestion below, I've collated further replies to your query, from the Hub's Facebook page post:

• Joanne: "Totally depends on the situation... on the person and what is occurring for them. Often groups and activities are put on for the residents and it is not relevant or appropriate. I work within a service as a mental health OT, in collaboration with carers, to support residents who are experiencing behaviours that concern (previously called 'behaviour that challenges'). We work on the Newcastle model, a stepped approach and very evidence based..."
  

• Bex: "Please look at gardening groups. There is a lot of supporting evidence for the benefits of gardening. I did my final placement in mental health/ dementia setting that was using an outdoor space at the hospital to run a gardening group for clients and their carers - and it was really beneficial for social interaction and physical and mental wellbeing. The act of growing plants and tending do them is very restorative."
  

• Shell: "The Jackie Pool Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument - We've used it jointly OT and MH together, to help person-centred care and meaningful activities with carers and activity co-ordinators, its great."
  

• Clare: "I was also going to mention the fabulous PALs Pool Activity Level training for activity coordinators, care givers... Activity or rather promotion of meaningful occupation is the duty of all care givers... and in an ideal world of course wouldn't start and end with activity coordinators. More understanding is required on the sensory differences in the stages of dementia..."
  

• Diana: "Would like to see more care homes have pets as therapy (PAT), visitors to bring their pet or actually living in the care home - or allow residents to bring their own pets in where possible as this ‘anchors’ them to their new home - it is after all their home and the staff are really their visitors. Encourage residents' autonomy, by offering choice of activity or working out a daily or weekly timetable with them - staff could ask how they can help, as if employed by/ a new ‘friend’ of the resident. Give them 'jobs' to do if they’re fit and able enough, as some residents may still believe they're working (e.g. gardening, helping in the kitchen, organising the laundry, teaching other residents/staff their hobby). Organise outings where/if possible. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, seasonal events (e.g. Wimbledon, the Boat Race, Grand National, FA final, etc). Whatever you would normally do at home, try to replicate in a care home - ‘normalise’ the experience as much as possible for residents."
  

• Gina: "Life Story work is often really meaningful - and helps carers see the care home resident as an individual, helps staff have points of meaningful conversation with residents, and helps the resident gain strength from the roles, hobbies, travels they've had over their lifetime. Work with families to bring in photos or memorabilia that will be meaningful to that individual. You can make the Life Story into a little booklet that can be shared with consent from resident with others."
  

• Debra: "Sensory interventions, music therapy, PAT dogs and animals. We have donkeys, ponies, goats and rabbits brought in... walking, hand-holding, pampering sessions, gardening, sensory story telling, birdsong and nature. 20 years in this business."

Thank you for sharing this @gaelle charlot - Please could you add a little more text to provide context/background to this infographic? (Future posts: Please avoid hashtags in post titles - and submit a maximum of one post in a day - please and thank you!)

Hi Amy. Is your supervisor supporting you to understand the person’s strengths and difficulties through assessment, ie using something like the MOHOST as a starting point. From this, you can then build individualised interventions based on the information you gather. I agree that sensory modulation would be really helpful, but try to tie this to what the person needs and wants to do

Hi Emma,

In Australia , if you want to practice working with mental health clients, we usually start off in large community public mental health or acute mental health wards....that would be my recommendation due to all the risk issues and risk assessments yo need to master first before moving on your own in private practice....also clients with mental illness also may have many other underlying conditions usually cognitive impairment- those with severe mental illness that you would normally encounter in public services ... in private the diagnoses may be different....I am guessing your clients with physical disability would suffer more from depression and anxiety, grieving process and adjustment to their physical disability and illness. Mental health is everywhere and cannot be separated from other conditions... It is the way to practice holistically. All the best with your advocacy efforts to consider patient's mental health and well being in addition to physical.

Also @Elijah Okall - would you be open to sharing your dissertation here on the Hub? We're sure fellow OTs could benefit hugely from the transitioning perspectives you covered... If so, do drop us an email (hubteam@theOThub.com).

Health Sciences University in Bournemouth, Uk is small enough to be personal. Not sure about scholarships though. You’d need to self fund as an international student.

Exposure to variety of cases in field / community