Occupational Therapy Can Help with Mental Health
When someone is dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another mental health condition, it can be hard to do everyday things like going to school, working, or even getting out of bed. Every day tasks seem overwhelming. Occupational Therapy (OT) can help.
Let’s say someone has depression and feels unmotivated and tired all the time. They’ve stopped going to work, they rarely leave the house and they don’t talk to their friends anymore. An OT can help them create a routine to get up, shower, eat breakfast, and slowly return to work part-time. They’ll also teach skills to manage low energy and emotions. Over time, the person may feel more like themselves again.
So, how can OT help with mental health?
1. Creating a Daily Routine
When you’re struggling with your mental health, normal habits and routines can get abandoned. Having a routine can make a big difference in how we feel. Occupational therapists help people rebuild simple, manageable schedules so they don’t feel overwhelmed. This can include sleep routines, healthy eating habits, physical activity and time for fun activities.
2. Setting and Reaching Goals
OTs work with people to set small, realistic goals — like going for a walk every day, getting back to work or school, or spending time with friends. Meeting these goals helps people feel more in control and confident.
3. Coping with Stress and Anxiety
Occupational therapists teach calming techniques, like deep breathing, mindfulness, and time management strategies. They help people figure out what triggers their stress and how to handle it in healthy ways. The objective is not to eliminate the anxiety but to better manage it.
4. Improving Social Skills
Mental health challenges can make it hard to connect with others. OTs can help people practice communication and build the confidence to talk to classmates, co-workers, or friends again.
5. Coping with Memory Issues
Mental illness can have an impact on our ability to remember things. OT can help develop strategies to improve and compensate for their memory problems.
6. Finding Meaningful Activities
Doing things you enjoy and care about is good for your mental health. An OT helps people find hobbies, volunteer work, or other meaningful activities that give them purpose and joy in their days.
Final Thoughts
Occupational therapy is about helping people live better lives. If someone is struggling with their mental health, they don’t have to go through it alone. With the support of an OT, they can find ways to manage their condition, feel more confident, and do the things that matter most to them.
For more on how Occupational therapy can help someone with a mental health problem, check out:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-expect-from-a-mental-health-ot-2509980
For more details, visit https://harboursiderehab.ca/ or contact us for personalized support.