Delivering occupational therapy services in mental health: Clarifying roles, assessment
Presenter(s)
Theresa Straathof, OT Reg. (Ont.)
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) | Occupational therapists have a recognized importance in mental health care delivery given their unique strengths for task analysis and assessing function, but can be quite varied in how assessments and interventions are carried out. Four factors that promote positive mental health outcomes and decrease readmission to hospital include psychoeducation to improve well-being ( Tyler et al., 2019 ), medication adherence, decreasing suicide, and ensuring transition of support to community ( Tyler et al., 2019 ; Owusu et al., 2022 ). Having agreed upon core outcomes for mental health discharge, as well as a clear description of occupational challenges that the therapy aims to address, will provide structure and transparency to service, and lead to greater understanding of effective therapy ( Tyler et al., 2019 ). This one-day practical skills workshop will focus on providing a structure for occupational therapy assessment and interventions and clarifying outcomes for mental health discharge. The workshop will provide an overview of the following entry points for occupational therapists to assess needs: activation, assess/facilitate occupational possibilities, coping strategy training, and relapse prevention. At each of these entry points, case studies will illustrate the content and process to deliver interventions. The benefits of task sessions, functional assessments, and standardized assessments will be overviewed to provide a cognitive functional profile for the client and team. Coping strategies will be organized in four coping categories, with a summary of what each category brings to managing the stress response, participating in valued occupations, and promoting function. Kolb's Adult Learning Model ( Kolb, 2014 ) will be described and illustrated as a tool to teach coping strategy content. Four coping modules will be reviewed specifically to target outcomes for successful transition to the community.
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to: Structure mental health interventions based on four levels of needs (activation, assess/facilitate occupational possibilities, coping strategy training, relapse prevention). Identify six techniques to activate and empower clients. Name one formal and one informal assessment to aid in determining functional cognitive profiles related to various occupations. Define benefits for four coping categories and name corresponding coping strategies. Demonstrate Kolb's Adult Learning Model ( Kolb, 2014 ). Justify four coping modules for relapse prevention.
Target audience: Occupational therapist clinicians and educators who are seeking a structured approach for assessment and interventions to ensure greater transparency of service, inform clinical reasoning, and promote efficiencies in mental health service delivery. Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc. Client age group: Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old)