What does a mental health OT do?

Occupational Therapists (OTs) focus on what people want or need to do in their lives – how people occupy their time. Sometimes a person's mental health can impact their ability to participate in everyday activities (occupations) including:

• personal care, such as sleeping, showering, eating, and managing mental health symptoms

• hobbies eg reading, sports, art & craft

• relationships

• household tasks eg cooking, cleaning, and budgeting

• accessing the community

• contributing to society eg parenting, studying, volunteering and working

Mental health OTs can assist by:

• conducting specialised assessments to work out strengths, barriers, needs and priorities

• providing education so that you understand and can make informed decisions about your health

• developing coping strategies to better manage aspects of your mental health including low motivation, anxiety, flashbacks, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations and substance use

• teaching skills, such as budgeting, cooking, relaxation, time management, emotional regulation, energy conservation and social skills

• suggesting changes to when or how you do particular activities to make them quicker, easier, safer or more enjoyable

• recommending resources, tools, equipment and technology to assist you to participate in activities that are important to you

• providing psychological therapies such as solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy