Margaret Swarbrick, Susan Noyes; Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Services in Mental Health Practice. Am J Occup Ther 2018;72(5):7205170010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.725001
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© 2021 American Occupational Therapy Association
National behavioral health care efforts have opened opportunities to reignite occupational therapy mental health practice and research. The profession’s person-centered and occupation-based practice fits well with the growing needs of people with serious mental illness (SMI) served in community-based settings. The nine articles in this special issue provide a growing body of evidence to support the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for adults with SMI to enhance health management skills and promote independence in living a balanced and satisfying life. However, much more high-level research is required to explicitly investigate the contributions of occupational therapy in all areas of occupation for adults with SMI and to broaden the available evidence base to inform occupational therapy practice.
Report on advances in research on people with SMI and SED related to prevention, diagnosis, intervention, treatment and recovery, and access to services and supports;
Evaluate the effect of federal programs related to people with SMI and SED on public health, including outcomes across several important dimensions; and
Make specific recommendations for actions that federal departments can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services for adults with SMI and children with SED.
Identifying individual strengths, goals, skills, and other factors important for wellness and recovery planning;
Performing psychosocial evaluations that include housing, vocational, and educational status as well as social support networks and community participation;
Helping clients develop day-to-day independent living skills and improve their functional capacity;
Teaching compensatory strategies that mitigate the impact of the illness and reduce symptoms through engagement in healthy roles and routines; and
Promoting health and wellness through the use of everyday activities.
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