Assessments in Occupational Therapy Mental Health: An Integrative Approach

Although occupational therapists were once integrally involved in mental health practice, the percentage of therapists presently working in this clinical area is low. In 2017, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation convened a planning grant collective (PGC) to generate research to support populations with serious mental health challenges. The PGC’s primary mission was to identify key research areas in which occupational therapists and colleagues could work collaboratively to demonstrate evidence for occupational therapy services supporting mental health community participation. Participants included 21 members from six professions and three program officers from federal funding establishments. The PGC identified seven overarching research concepts, three broad areas of research inquiry, and eight possible studies addressing occupational therapy’s contribution to research promoting community participation and health outcomes for people with mental illness. This article provides a summary of the PGC proceedings so that researchers can collaboratively implement identified research topics.

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Organizational Workplace Mental Health: An Emerging Role for Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy in Mental Health ◽

10.1080/0164212x.2021.1908925 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Alexandra N. Thompson ◽

Madison I. Fugard ◽

Bonnie Kirsh

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Workplace Mental Health

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Positive Psychology for Mental Wellbeing of UK Therapeutic Students: Relationships with Engagement, Motivation, Resilience and Self-Compassion

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction ◽

10.1007/s11469-020-00466-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yasuhiro Kotera ◽

Pauline Green ◽

David Sheffield

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Positive Psychology ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Psychological Constructs ◽

Occupational Therapy Students ◽

Self Compassion ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the relationships between mental wellbeing and positive psychological constructs in therapeutic students (psychotherapy and occupational therapy students). The number of therapeutic students has increased recently; however, they suffer from poor mental health, which may be improved by potentiating their positive psychological constructs, bypassing mental health shame. Therapeutic students (n = 145) completed measures regarding positive psychological constructs, namely mental wellbeing, engagement, motivation, resilience, and self-compassion. Resilience and self-compassion predicted mental wellbeing, explaining a large effect. Self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing. This study highlights the importance of positive psychological constructs, especially resilience and self-compassion, for mental wellbeing of therapeutic students.

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Workplace mental health: Current practice and support needs of Ontario occupational therapists

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0008417418822491 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 85 (5) ◽

pp. 408-417

Author(s):

Sandra E. Moll ◽

Caitlin M. Heino ◽

Alison H. LeBlanc ◽

Lydia B. Beck ◽

Laura M. Kalef

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Support Needs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Services ◽

Work Related ◽

Workplace Mental Health

Background. Workplace mental health (WMH) is an important and expanding practice area for occupational therapists. Purpose. This cross-sectional study explores the current practices and support needs of Ontario-based occupational therapists in WMH. Method. Registrants from the provincial association who provide mental health and/or work-related services were invited to participate. Ninety-three therapists completed an online survey; 10 participated in follow-up focus groups. Analysis involved descriptive statistics of the survey data and content analysis of the focus group data. Findings. Return to work, reactivation, and functional cognitive assessment were the most commonly reported services. Key challenges were limited funding and training and lack of awareness of the occupational therapy role. Therapists emphasized the importance of raising the competence, credibility, and profile of occupational therapy in WMH. Implications. Defining the role of occupational therapy, developing training and resources, and advocacy are needed to advance occupational therapy practice within this rapidly changing field.

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