The Developing Role of Occupational Therapy in Psychiatric Intensive Care

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Best

Occupational therapy has an established role in the delivery of mental health services. Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) are a development found in many psychiatric inpatient facilities and their numbers are increasing. The introduction of occupational therapy to a recently established PICU is examined. A comparison is made between PICU and forensic client groups, and the developing need for PICUs as a distinct service and the client group they serve are described. An example of successful service delivery of occupational therapy in a PICU is offered, and the challenges to the therapist working in this demanding and rewarding setting are outlined.

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 78-85
Author(s):  
Sarah Taylor

The past 10 years have seen a shift in mental health care in Aotearoa New Zealand towards early intervention and treatment at a primary care level providing a range of levels of mental health interventions in a variety of settings. Previously specialist mental health care had been the responsibility of community mental health teams and secondary service inpatient care which provided care for people with severe mental illness (3% of the population). In this article, I look at the move towards the provision of primary mental health care. I describe and review the Mental Health Brief Intervention Service in South Canterbury, one of the earliest primary mental health services initiated by the South Canterbury District Health Board, which started in 2005. I present research fi from my Master’s thesis Mental Health Brief Intervention – does it work? An evaluation of practice, and discuss how the Mental Health Brief Intervention Service has made a positive change for general practitioners, the client, the interface with other services including secondary mental health services and service delivery in general. Forms of consumer feedback are discussed along with the changes in the service over the last 10 years. It is written by myself, a social worker, who played an integral part in initiating and establishing the service and continues to have an active role as a clinician within the Mental Health Brief Intervention Service. This article is written to provide social workers with an overview of the establishment of the Mental Health Brief Intervention Service and the impact on service delivery. The role of the social worker is discussed as is the role of other health professionals within the team. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Moloney ◽  
Daniela Rohde

Purpose Physical activity is associated with both physical and mental health benefits for people with psychosis. However, mental health services have been criticised for failing to adequately promote physical activities. Occupational Therapy, with its focus on meaningful everyday occupations, is well placed to incorporate physical activity interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of men with psychosis participating in an Irish community-based football programme. Design/methodology/approach Six men with psychosis participated in qualitative interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed thematically. Findings Participants identified many benefits of engaging in the programme. Football became a valued part of weekly routines and fostered re-engagement with previously valued roles. Participants identified improvements in social confidence and motor and process skills, as well as a positive impact on their mental and physical health. Originality/value This study highlights the value and meaning of participation in football for men with psychosis, as well as demonstrating the longer-term feasibility of football as a therapeutic medium in Occupational Therapy mental health service provision. Findings could help to promote the routine use of sports interventions to mental health services.


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