A FREE online resource devised in the Mid West is highlighting the numerous benefits of occupational therapy for people working to improve their mental health and wellbeing through a focus on the everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose to life.
‘Introducing Occupational Therapy for Mental Health Recovery’ is an informative, interactive guide devised collaboratively by Mid West ARIES and the HSE Mid West Mental Health Occupational Therapy Service.
The guide is the latest in an expanding series of innovative educational resources provided by Mid West ARIES to support recovery and mental health.
The new guide is the first of its kind in the country, using a range of IT tools to raise awareness of how occupational therapy works, including video testimonials, interactive quizzes and live online links to community-based support services, all easily accessible on a laptop, PC or smartphone.
“This is a unique online education resource,” stated Mike O’Neill, manager, Mid West ARIES. “It fulfils all aspects of our mission to identify gaps in people’s knowledge of mental health services and supports, and delivering innovative solutions that tangibly make a difference to people’s lives, not least by enhancing access, as conveniently as possible, to the support they need.”
Mike’s colleague at Mid West ARIES, Margaret Keane, the agency’s Education, Training, and Development Officer, explained that “occupational therapy can play an enormously positive role in people’s mental health recovery. But many people are unaware of precisely how occupational therapy works.”
“Further challenging our awareness-raising mission is the current era of rapid, instantaneous sharing of unverified opinions, misinformation and disinformation. Such a swirl of myths and misconceptions can often act as barriers to people seeking help.”
Mid West ARIES explained that video is also used to show people how occupational therapy works from the perspective of the service-user and the practitioner.
Service-user Mary O’Carroll said that therapy helped her to achieve significant weight-loss goals, effectively manage her tendency towards hoarding, and transform her social life to play a more active role in her community.
“I want to give hope to those people who are struggling at the moment — with the right supports, recovery is possible,” Mary says.
For information on additional supports, the occupational therapy guide also shares links to a wide range of community-based partner organisations, including EmployAbility, Grow, Jigsaw, Limerick Mental Health Association, Limerick Youth Service, and the National Learning Network. Further info available on rise.articulate.com.
