Occupational well-being is how you use your skills and abilities to enrich your own life as well as the lives of those around you. Attitude is related to satisfaction regarding your work, whether it be paid or unpaid.
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.
You may think about creativity and ascribe it to artists, photographers, and architects. But creativity is for all people, even those who are not in “artistic” professions. Do you ever find yourself combining unusual elements in a dish for dinner, perhaps simply to use up expiring ingredients? That requires creativity. Having an eye to find the perfect item at a thrift store takes creativity. Dancing at a wedding takes creativity to move your body in unique ways. How you organize your closet takes creativity! These everyday examples highlight the regularity that creativity can have in our lives.
There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.
—Edward de Bono
Creativity was required to quickly pivot and create the COVID-19 vaccines. It was required to design aircrafts which have globalized our world. It is required to make systems more efficient, to maximize resources, and to progress in novel ways!
According to Helzer and Kim (2019), having a creative state of mind in the workplace can allow people to respond to stress more flexibly by providing alternative solutions. These alternatives might not come to mind in a less creative state. Adaptability involves creativity; Therefore, creative mindsets in the workplace can decrease stress by quickly pivoting to innovative solutions to rising problems.
I think a good question might be not why do people create? But why do people not create or innovate? We have got to abandon that sense of amazement in the face of creativity, as if it were a miracle if anybody created anything.
—Abraham Maslow
Creative ventures lead to decreased stress and a slew of other skills that promote personal empowerment. Creativity leads to novel, efficient solutions. There are also numerous mental health benefits that derive from creative expression. Research has shown that creativity serves as a coping mechanism for emotion regulation (Jean-Berluche, 2024). It also improves cognitive flexibility which allows individuals to adapt and be flexible by being quick to pivot with innovative solutions. Lastly, creative expression has been shown to improve social connectedness and feelings of belonging.
With these benefits in mind, we invite you to practice creativity today:
Choose a common household item and make a list of 15 uses for it.
Brainstorm new projects that fit the heart of your mission at work.
Refresh your home by rearranging your furniture or items on a shelf.
Choose a new spice to add to your dinner.
Plan a themed party.
Browse Pinterest for inspiration on a project you are interested in.
Try your hand at photographing nature.
Journal to process your day or dream about an interest you have.
BH WELL exists to promote behavioral health and wellness among individuals facing behavioral health challenges. Learn more about BH WELL at https://bhwell.uky.edu. Follow us on social media.
References
Helzer, E. G., & Kim, S. H. (2019). Creativity for workplace well-being. Academy of Management Perspectives, 33(2), 134-147.
Jean-Berluche, D. (2024). Creative expression and mental health. Journal of Creativity, 100083.
Serrat, O. (2017). Harnessing creativity and innovation in the workplace. Knowledge solutions: Tools, Methods, and approaches to drive organizational performance, 903-910.
Coaching as a practice has been used to facilitate personal and professional growth. However, many of the basic concepts of coaching can also be used to positively influence the culture of an organization.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a web-based education module on the knowledge, attitudes, and ratings of willingness to access help related to suicide prevention in psychiatric- mental health nurses.
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).
Dr. Bryant traces his passion for nursing back to his experience working with residents at a nursing home in his senior year of high school. This early clinical exposure ignited his confidence to pursue UK’s College of Nursing program where he completed his BSN in 2011. Bryant began his career with ESH in 2012 as a clinical nurse and served as interim nurse manager beginning in 2014.
Bryant had the desire to continue his education and enrolled into UK’s DNP program in 2020. Flourishing under the mentorship of Dr. Woods, Bryant notes, “Dr. Woods was always very supportive and proud of us and always provided opportunities.”
Dr. Marc Woods, Chief Nursing Officer for UK Healthcare, shares, "Dr. Kevin Bryant's leadership journey reflects a strong commitment to bolstering the future of academic and clinical behavioral health nurses. His efforts in patient and staff safety are paving the way for robust and resilient care practices within the inpatient setting."
In addition to Dr. Woods’ support, Bryant credits the Work Learning Program (WLP) and his cohort for nurturing his success by providing resources and a supportive environment. Bryant states, “The Work Learning Program provided us great support, from helping with presentations and offering a relaxing study space with snacks to Dr. Okoli’s mentorship on writing literature reviews. In general, the WLP leadership’s support at ESH made it a whole lot easier for my cohort and I to successfully complete this program.”
As Dr. Bryant reflects on his DNP graduation, he emphasizes the importance of a strong support system outside of work and the WLP as well. “Outside of my cohort's support, I have a really great support system from my family- with my parents, my brothers, and my nieces that I love to hang out with. So, I am very grateful and appreciative of that” Dr. Bryant proudly states.
Congratulations to Johna Arnett, DNP, RN, on her graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Arnett’s project, “The Impact a Nurse Recruiter has on Nursing Staff Shortages and Nurse Manager Satisfaction in an Acute Psychiatric Facility” explores the impact of a nurse recruiter role in addressing nursing staff shortages and nurse manager satisfaction within an acute psychiatric facility. Dr. Arnett is a Nurse Manager at Eastern State Hospital (ESH).
Having begun her career as a clinical nurse at Eastern State Hospital in 2015, Dr. Arnett has remained dedicated in her pursuit of professional growth and development within the same institution. Along Dr. Arnett’s journey, she transitioned from a clinical role to into a patient care manager role. Dr. Arnett’s decision to pursue a DNP was driven by her passion for executive leadership and a desire to ignite positive change within the healthcare landscape.
Throughout her academic pursuit, Dr. Arnett has participated in and benefited from the Work Learning Program (WLP) at Eastern State Hospital (ESH), finding support in a community that showed dedication to fostering growth and collaboration. Dr. Arnett notes that this program has been extremely beneficial in shaping her academic journey, providing invaluable resources and a nurturing environment conducive to learning and professional development. In fact, Dr. Arnett completed her BSN through the WLP program prior to entering the DNP WLP. In reflecting on her journey, Dr. Arnett emphasizes the importance of a strong support system and the invaluable role played by EHS and the WLP in her success.
Marc Woods, Chief Nursing Officer for UK Healthcare, comments, “Dr. Johna Arnett's journey from clinical nurse to a transformative leader shows the impact of dedication on shaping the future of nursing. Her focus on education and empowerment sets a strong example for the next generation of nurse leaders."
Dr. Arnett's accomplishments have extended beyond academia to her contributions to patient care and staff development. She has mastered compassionate care practices, emphasizing how important it is to be understanding while addressing patients’ needs. Dr. Arnett emphasizes her leadership style of prioritizing staff education and empowerment. She also hopes to inspire her team toward excellence and to approach challenges with humility and compassion.
Now that Dr. Arnett has successfully completed the DNP program, she is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. She will begin the Leadership Grow Program at UK in Fall 2024 to further enhance her leadership skills.
The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a web-based education module on the knowledge, attitudes, and ratings of willingness to access help related to suicide prevention in psychiatric-mental health nurses.
Congratulations to Michele Van Outer, DNP, BSN, on her graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Van Outer’s project, “Improving Structural Empowerment Through the Co-Creation of a Professional Governance Program of Nurse Managers and Frontline Nurse Leaders” aims to uncover the potential benefits of a collaborative approach on staff members’ patient care outcomes. Dr. Van Outer serves as a Nurse Manager at Eastern State Hospital (ESH).
Dr. Van Outer began her career as an associate degree Nurse (ADN) at ESH developing her skill in patient care. Over time, she completed her BSN and is graduating May 2024 with her DNP in the Executive Leadership track. From her time as a floor nurse to her DNP, Van Outer has consistently found herself in leadership roles where she can impact best practices for patient care.
Dr. Van Outer has always been passionate about community support and public health relations and how they impact patient care. During her early nursing education, she was already interested in mental health and psychiatric nursing. She understands how inpatient psychiatric hospitals provide crucial support for underserved communities, often serving as a last resort for seeking care. Dr. Van Outer states, “We provide evidence-based care at ESH for people who, maybe, wouldn't be able to access it any other way.”
Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Van Outer mentioned how beneficial the support was from her cohort and the Work Learning Program (WLP) at ESH. She specifically appreciated Dr. Okoli’s writing workshops and the support from WLP leaders in reviewing papers and conceptualizing assignments. She notes, “It was a four-year program; so, with that extra support, it enabled us to keep going because when you got in a bind, we had each other, but we also had the Work Learning Program (WLP) and their experience and research.”
Dr. Marc Woods, Chief Nursing Officer with UK Health Care notes, "Dr. Michelle Van Outer's resilient pursuit of her doctoral degree showcases her unwavering dedication to leadership in nursing. Her work on shared governance not only enhances her capabilities but also inspires others in the healthcare field to excel in this area."
Now that Dr. Van Outer has successfully completed the DNP program, she has time to appreciate her new accomplishment. Her goal remains to eventually transition into a director position and to continue to support nurse leaders.
People living with serious mental illnesses (SMI) continue to face a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related prevalence, morbidity, and mortality as compared to those without SMI. The risk of mortality related to cigarette smoking among those with SMI is six-times that for persons without SMI.
The authors regret the following error. The second affiliation of the first author was omitted from the article. The corrected affiliations are as follows:
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China;
School of Nursing, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan province 611137, China.
