The Impact of Occupational Therapy on Mental Health

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being. By focusing on the relationship between the individual, their environment, and meaningful activities, OT helps individuals experiencing mental health challenges engage in their daily lives in fulfilling ways. The therapeutic process involves helping clients increase activities of daily living performance, develop self-regulation strategies, improve social skills, and increase over-all independence. This holistic approach addresses not just the symptoms of mental illness, but also barriers that may impact the performance of meaningful occupations.

Occupational therapists work with individuals of all ages and those with various mental health challenges, including those dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar, and drug induced psychosis. For example, an occupational therapist might guide clients in creating routines, identifying enjoyable activities, and breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps, thus reducing stress and anxiety. By addressing functional goals, OT empowers clients to regain independence and improve their quality of life. This kind of therapy has proven beneficial in reducing the recurrence of mental health episodes and enabling sustained recovery.

Research supports the effectiveness of occupational therapy in mental health care. For instance, how OT interventions can significantly improve the functional outcomes and quality of life for individuals with serious mental illnesses, promoting both social integration and well-being. Overall, occupational therapists provide mental health treatment with the goal of increasing client independence which is an integral part of mental health treatment. 

Claudia Robertson is a BH WELL project assistant and an occupational therapy doctoral student. Holly Belcher is an occupational therapist at Eastern State Hospital where she is also a member of their research council.