If you are getting treatment for a mental health difficulty you may be referred to an occupational therapist (OT).
Your OT will work with you to improve your day-to-day life and mental health. They can look at all aspects of daily life in your home, school or workplace.
Your OT will look at everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose to your life. If you have difficulty doing them they can see if there's another way you can do them.
These include activities that can be done on your own, with your family or friends, or as part of a community. They include any activity that you need to, want to or are expected to do.
Assessment
If you are referred to occupational therapy your occupational therapist will assess you.
They will look at your daily routine with you. This will include the activities that you are doing well, and activities you are having difficulty with.
They will try to get a better understanding of who you are and the daily challenges that you're facing.
They will look at your:
- mobility and movement
- ways of coping and thinking
- role in your family
- home, work, social or cultural environment
- interests
- habits, routines and use of time
- independent living and community integration skills
They can then recommend a plan which is based on your needs. This is called an intervention plan.
Shared decision-making is an important part of occupational therapy. This means that your occupational therapist will work with you to develop goals. These will help you take part in the activities you need and want to do.
Intervention plan
Your occupational therapist may recommend any of the following things as part of your intervention plan:
- learning healthy habits and routines
- taking part in leisure activities
- learning new skills through education, work or training to help take part in a job you would like
- improving your planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills
- learning skills that can help you to live more independently
- helping you take part in your community, for example by getting to know other people or using public transport
- improving your communication and social skills
- making changes to your living space or workplace that can help you take part in meaningful activities
- taking part in a group or course such as Lifestyle Redesign, which helps you think about your current lifestyle and explore any changes you might like to make
These activities can either be done in 1-on-1 or group sessions.
Your occupational therapist will regularly review and adapt the intervention plan to meet your needs.