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.

As a student completing my clinical experiences, I often meet amazing patients who find themselves in difficult circumstances. It is as if they have come face to face with a tornado. This happens often enough that I decided to write a blog about how one might begin to see the tornado for what it is and realize that they get to choose how they will face their difficult circumstances.

Tornadoes arise quickly and often when we least expect them! It is the same thing with difficult circumstances. Whether it’s a health issue or other unexpected circumstances, that tornado can leave us feeling overwhelmed or helpless. During these times, it might seem impossible to find a way to move forward. One thing that seems simple but can help, is choosing to sit with the present circumstance mindfully without judgement. “Okay. That is one large tornado! But I have a supportive family and health providers who are trained to walk alongside me through my challenges.” Reality, the tornado, is acknowledged for what it is while allowing space for self-compassion and acceptance.

Acceptance is acknowledging the situation without resistance. Can you imagine trying to resist, deny, or control a tornado? That would be impossible. It is the same thing with a difficult circumstance. Resisting, denying, or trying to control it may lead to increased emotional suffering. Accepting the tornado, the difficult circumstance, for what it is allows us to shift our focus to “Now what will I choose to do? There’s a tornado. What can I control?” This perspective is empowering because it helps us think of proactive steps we CAN take.  Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help ground us in the present moment, allowing us to deal with negative emotions.

Acceptance of the tornado we are facing can significantly improve our mental well-being. Biehler and colleagues found that people who practice acceptance as a coping mechanism experience less emotional distress and greater resilience when facing difficult situations. Rather than avoid our experiences and emotions, acknowledging the tornado before us creates space to heal and accept the situation. 

Additionally, acceptance of the tornado involves cultivating self-compassion. Life’s tornadoes are typically out of our control. It’s okay to have self-compassion during difficult circumstances. Self-compassion allows us to navigate difficult circumstances and the complex emotions that accompany them. Suffering is a universal experience. Rather than avoiding tornadoes that show up in our lives, understanding them allows us to feel less isolated and more in control of our struggles. Seeking help from health professionals and counselors while gaining support from friends and others going through similar situations can foster a sense of connection and help process emotions associated with difficult circumstances.

 

There is help. There is hope. If you or someone you love is going through a difficult circumstance, contact the Crisis Lifeline at 988 or dial or text #988. 

Losing a parent is one of the most intense, heart-wrenching experiences anyone can face. The grief that follows can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it may be difficult to know how to navigate life without the presence of someone who played such a significant role. Grief is natural, but how we approach it can shape our healing journey. Allowing ourselves to experience grief in a healthy way is crucial for moving forward while honoring the memory of the parent we’ve lost.

Understand that Grief is a Personal Journey

No two people grieve the same way. Therefore, there is no "right"  way or timeline for mourning. For some, grief may appear in waves—sometimes powerful and intense, other times subtle and distant. This variation is normal. Allowing yourself to feel the ebb and flow of emotions is part of the process. Avoid comparing your grief to others since your unique relationship with your parent will guide your emotional response.

Embrace Your Feelings, Even the Difficult Ones

When grieving, you may experience a mix of emotions: sadness, anger, guilt, and even relief. It’s essential to let yourself feel each of these emotions without judgment. Bottling up feelings or denying them can delay healing and intensify the pain. It's okay to cry, scream, or feel lost. Embracing these emotions is part of working through grief in a way that honors both you and your parent. In addition, you are allowed to mourn and grieve after losing a parent in cases where the relationship was unhealthy or with whom you were not in an active relationship. Conflicting feelings experienced after losing a parent where there were complicated relationships are normal. You are allowed to give yourself time and space for self-compassion.

Seek Support but Know Your Limits

Grief can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Reaching out to friends, family members, or support groups can be incredibly beneficial. Sometimes, simply sharing memories of your parent with others who knew and loved them can provide comfort. However, it's also important to recognize when you need space to process your emotions privately. Striking a balance between seeking support and taking time for yourself is key.

Practice Self-Care and Mindfulness

During grief, it's easy to neglect self-care, but taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is crucial. Grieving can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. Make sure to eat well, sleep, and engage in gentle activities that provide comfort, like taking walks or spending time in nature. Mindfulness exercises, such as meditation or journaling, can also help you stay connected to the present while processing difficult emotions.

Honor the Memory of Your Parent

Many find solace in creating rituals or activities that honor the memory of their parent. This could involve lighting a candle, looking through old photos, or celebrating their birthday in a meaningful way. These practices can help keep the connection alive while giving you an outlet to express your feelings and continue your bond in a new form.

Consider Professional Support

Sometimes, the weight of grief can feel too heavy to manage alone. If you find that your emotions are overwhelming or interfering with daily life, seeking the help of a grief counselor or therapist can provide valuable tools for navigating your pain. Professional support can guide you through the healing process, giving you a safe space to express emotions and learn coping strategies.

Grief Doesn't End; It Evolves

Over time, grief doesn’t disappear, but it changes. The intensity may lessen, and the pain can become more bearable as you learn to live with it. The goal of healthy grieving is not to "move on" or forget but to adjust to life without your parent while carrying their memory forward. Healing means finding a way to live with the loss, allowing your love for your parent to shape your future, rather than focusing solely on the pain of their absence.

Final Thoughts

Grieving the loss of a parent is a personal and profound journey. By embracing your emotions, seeking support, practicing self-care, and allowing yourself the time you need to heal, you can experience grief in a healthy way. Remember, grief is not something you need to “get over,” but rather something you learn to live with. Through this process, you honor your parent’s life while also giving yourself permission to heal.

As we honor LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it is important to acknowledge the health inequities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the importance of LGBTQ+ behavioral health which embraces both mental health and well-being. This blog explores how you can advocate for your well-being when seeking behavioral health services as an LGBTQ+ individual.   

Congratulations to Kevin Bryant, DNP, BSN, on his graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Bryant’s project, “The Impact of an Educational Training to Front-line Nurses and Providers to Reduce Seclusion and Restraint: Assessing Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes” explores effect of web-based educational intervention on front-line nurses knowledge, practices, and attitudes concerning use of seclusion and restraint of patients within psychiatric in-patient facilities. Dr. Bryant is Director of Inpatient Services at Eastern State Hospital (ESH). 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month we are provided the opportunity to listen and honor survivors in our community. It is a time to show those who have been impacted by sexual assault that they are not alone, and we hear them. It is a time to educate yourself about sexual assault and the stigma associated with these acts. It is a time to start the change in how society treats victims of sexual assault. It starts with you.

Victim blaming is a common occurrence facing sexual assault survivors. Statements such as “Why didn’t you fight back?” or “Why didn’t you just say no?” suggest the victim or survivor was responsible for what happened to them. Because we live in a society of victim-blaming, survivors often don’t report their assaults. 

We live in a society where the dominant ideology is that of a cis-gender male point of view, especially in relation to how we view sex and power. The rape culture society normalizes and minimizes sexual violence and rape. 

March is designated as Self-Injury Awareness Month to highlight self-injury which is often misunderstood, not discussed, or simply suppressed. It can be difficult to understand self-injury and it is a challenging topic for many to discuss. So, we welcome you to delve deeper into this topic with us.  

This blog is dedicated to casting light on this misunderstood and stigmatized issue by providing insights, resources, and support for those who may be struggling with self-harm or are seeking guidance on how to help loved ones struggling with self-injury.

With Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) being a pervasive global public health issue, it is important that this topic be brought out of silence. According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), more than one in five adults in the U.S. live with mental illness and over one in five youth either currently struggle or have previously struggled with mental illness. While NSSI is most common among adolescents (15-20%), around 6% of adults also face the challenge of self-injury (Klonsky, 2014).

What is Self-Injury 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), also referred to as self-harm, is when an individual attempts to cause harm or potential injury to their body on purpose but without intending to cause death. Those who struggle with NSSI are at a higher risk of attempting suicide and dying by suicide if they do not receive help. In fact, studies have shown that NSSI is one of the strongest longitudinal predictors of future suicide attempts, even stronger than the predictive strength of prior suicide attempts (Wang et. al, 2024).

Understanding Self-Injury

The first important step to understanding self-injury is to recognize what motivates someone to engage in self-harm. There are different reasons for NSSI, so the best way to assist someone is to address what the underlying issue is. 

Those who struggle with self-harm may use it to control negative feelings, dissociate from emotional pain, and cope with stress. A study noted that 85% of participants cited that their most common reason for self-injury was to release emotional pressure and that the next most common reasons were to control negative feelings and get rid of intolerable emotions (Klonsky, 2009).

Forms of Self-Injury

Individuals cope through various types of self-harm. Some might be easier to spot, while others may not be as noticeable. Recognizing different methods and signs of self-harm can help provide better support to those who are struggling. 

Examples of Self-Harm:

• Cutting one’s skin with a sharp object
• Piercing one’s skin with sharp objects
• Hitting or punching oneself or punching things
• Burning oneself with cigarettes, matches, or candles
• Breaking bones or bruising oneself
• Scratching or picking scabs to prevent wounds from healing
• Pulling out one’s hair, eyelashes, or eyebrows with the intention of hurting oneself
• Inserting objects into one's body 

Signs of Self-Harm:

• Scars
• Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weather
• Talking about feeling worthless or helpless
• Fresh cuts, bruises, bite marks, or burns
• Keeping sharp objects on hand
• Frequent reports of accidental injury
• Emotional and behavioral instability and unpredictability
• The most common target areas of the body for self-harm are the arms, legs, chest, and stomach. Although these are the most vulnerable to enduring self-injury, any part of the body can be harmed through various methods. 

Breaking the stigma on the topic of self-injury is important for the well-being of those who struggle with it and to promote advocacy, understanding, and empathy within our communities. By discussing the challenges of self-harm and how to identify warning signs, we can create a safe space where individuals feel more empowered to seek help. As we continue to educate ourselves and support those who self-harm, we break down barriers to healing and foster recovery. 

If you or someone you love is experiencing or considering self-injury, please dial 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. There is hope. There is help.

The Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team exists to promote behavioral health and wellness among individuals facing behavioral health challenges. To learn more about BH WELL, visit our website. Interested in more evidence-based, free mental and behavioral health resources? Follow us @ukbhwell on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

As Recreational Therapy Month comes to an end, it is important to reflect on the many ways this therapy impacts individual well-being and wellness. Recreational therapy uses music, games, and crafts to promote healing. It focuses on mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual functioning by organically integrating these activities into the week. Are you still wondering, what recreational therapy is? Well, we are glad you asked so that we can share how recreation and therapy, working together as a team, can promote well-being! 

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) states that recreational therapy involves treatment services that, “are designed to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate a person's level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or illuminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participate in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.” This therapy is provided by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) in a variety of settings which include, but are not limited to, mental health facilities, physical rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and acute care hospitals. No matter what the setting is, our health, wellness, and quality of life are likely to benefit from participating in various recreational activities because while in addition to being fun, our body enjoys the wellness benefits from them as well.

Within the recreational therapy process, leisure activities are used as interventions to determine what can help enhance the client's mental and behavioral health. When participating in recreational therapy, the client will learn how to work through feelings more comfortably and increase positive emotions. The recreational therapist facilitates activities that help with goal setting, coping skills, processing trauma, and expressing feelings which may lead to improved self-esteem and increased independence. Hope Therapy Center notes that benefits of this therapy include, “improved self-determination, increased emotional regulation, increased optimism, and feelings of autonomy”. 

Additionally, recreational therapy can integrate physical activity which has shown to increase positive mood. Cardio drumming is a cardio work-out that has risen in popularity as a recreational activity that nearly everyone can enjoy whether you are a drummer or just want to have fun! This exercise uses vibrant music, a work-out ball, and drumsticks to engage in movement and fitness.  In fact, a study examining the effects of cardio drumming on stress and self-esteem levels in an in-patient psychiatric hospital found that after doing this activity, stress levels decreased and self-esteem scores increased. Through these findings we can see the benefits of emphasizing the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit within the healing journey. 

Recreational therapy is recognized for its ability to incorporate fun and enjoyable activities for therapeutic purposes. Recreational therapy offers people who are living with mental and behavioral health challenges a variety of unique methods to navigate the healing process. Through goal setting, coping skill enhancement, and cultivating a sense of positivity, individuals are provided with an opportunity to explore their emotional experiences in a liberating and empowering manner. Recreational therapy in mental health recovery emphasizes holistic well-being and focuses on empowering individuals to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. It complements other forms of treatment and supports individuals in developing coping strategies, building resilience, and achieving their recovery goals.