Mental Health

Mental health is a state of well-being. The definition of mental health problems covers a wide spectrum of disorders and can range from the everyday worries we all experience, such as the stresses of work, home or school, to highly disabling conditions such as, schizophrenia, bipolar and dementia. Mental health issues can impact hugely on an individual's physical health, social situation, living environment and / or genetic factors. Our Occupational Therapists are experienced practitioners and can help those with mental health problems, recover or learn to manage their condition more effectively enabling them to live a fulfilling and productive life.

Associated difficulties regarding mental health

Mental health problems often affects how an individual thinks, feels and behaves. Many mental health problems are misunderstood or underestimated making it a lot more challenging for the individual to cope with on a day to day basis. Affecting one in four of the British population, mental health problems are enormously common.

Our Occupational Therapists can help individuals with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Dementia
• Alzheimer's
• Personality disorder
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Occupational Therapy Assessments for mental health

When working with an individual with a mental health condition, our Occupational Therapists will employ a variety of assessments. This enables our therapists to obtain the relevant information needed and aids the creation of a personalised treatment plan. Our Occupational Therapist will then use this profile of information for goal setting and treatment planning.

Our Occupational Therapists carry out assessments for a number of reasons, some of which are listed below:

• Prioritisation of goals
• Observations
• Analyses of activities of daily living
• Development of treatment plans
• Progress monitoring
• Identification of difficulties

Our Occupational Therapy assessments have the flexibility to be carried out on a one to one basis in the individuals own home or here in one of our clinics. All our assessments are completed by a fully trained and experienced Occupational Therapists.

Suitable assessment for mental health problems include:

• Cognitive Assessment
• Activities Of Daily Living Assessment
• Housing assessment
• Risk Assessment
• Return To Work Assessment
• Workplace Assessment

Our Occupational Therapists provide individuals with mental health conditions a road to recovery. With the knowledge and experience our Occupational Therapists can provide creative solutions and educate individuals on how best to manage their condition. Our Occupational Therapists can offer a wide variety treatment and will aim to increase the independence levels of those with mental health problems.

Occupational Therapy Treatment for mental health

Our Occupational Therapists work with individuals of all ages to help them overcome the effects of their mental health condition and will promote independent functioning in everyday life. Together with the therapists individuals will devise a treatment plan which will address their needs and aim at increasing their participation levels.

Suitable treatment for people with mental health problems include:

• Advice and Education
• One to one treatments
• Home visits

Advice and Education
Individuals with mental health difficulties can often refrain from participating in daily activities such as washing, cooking and cleaning due to their low mood levels. Our Occupational Therapists have the skills and knowledge required to work with such individuals and increase their motivation levels through both advice and education. Our Occupational Therapists may advice breaking down activities in to smaller more manageable tasks, in order to avoid individuals from becoming overwhelmed. The method is known as activity grading, through grading activities in this manner individuals are more able to participate effectively and become less reliant on others around them.

One to one treatments
One to one treatment sessions are highly recommended for individuals with mental health difficulties, as they not only provide more privacy but they encourage open communication between therapist and individual to take place. Our Occupational Therapists are therefore able to gather the relevant information needed in more detail and tailor further interventions more appropriately, ensuring the individual's needs are being met. This in turn will improve the individual's participation levels in daily activities and increase their overall motivation.

Home Visits
Our Occupational Therapy home visits for individuals with mental health difficulties, aim to establish daily routines and educate individuals on home management techniques. This in turn will improve an individual's abilities to live more independently and become less reliant on the support offered by others around them.

All our Occupational Therapy treatments aim to increase an individual's participation in everyday activities and enhance their overall life enjoyment.

Conditions commonly associated with mental health

Mental health difficulties can occur in anybody at any stage in their life. Affecting one in four of the British population, mental health conditions are extremely common. Our Occupational Therapist have been specially trained and are highly experienced in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions such as:

• Depression
• Alzheimer's disease
• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder

Providing both emotional support and advice our Occupational Therapists will devise a tailored treatment program to meet the needs of individual, increasing the levels of independence and overall life satisfaction.

Summary

Our Occupational Therapists collaborate with many other professionals in order to aid an individual's road to recovery. Our Occupational Therapistsprovide a unique theoretical and clinical contribution to the overall treatment of mental health conditions.

What to do next:

Our Occupational Therapist will provide effective assessment and ongoing treatment of "title/problem". If you think that your child has poor handwriting, or have been alerted to this from school then please email office@occupationaltherapy.org,uk or call 0330 223 1055