Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy play crucial roles in support of mental health clients by addressing various facets of their lives. These therapies aim to enhance daily functioning, promote emotional well-being and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives despite the challenges posed by mental health conditions.
Occupational Therapy is founded in the belief that there is therapeutic value in meaningful occupation. It involves the treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions through specific activity, to enable the client to achieve a level of function and independence. Psychiatric Occupational Therapy thereby focuses on the evaluation of the individual’s lifestyle, thinking processes, coping strategies, daily living skills and an awareness of self and of their illness.
Therapeutic Recreation focuses exclusively on the uses of play, recreation and leisure-related interventions as a means to promote psychological and physical recovery, to prevent secondary health conditions and to foster well-being and community participation among individuals with disabilities. The Psychiatric Hospital’s Occupational and Recreational Therapy Departments are therefore invaluable in assisting patients in re-establishing themselves as functional members of their communities.
Mental health conditions are not a sign of weakness, they are medical conditions, deserving of compassion and proper care. Just as we would not stigmatise someone for having diabetes or heart disease, we should extend the same understanding to those grappling with mental health challenges. The Psychiatric Hospital caters to 520 persons at present and we anticipate that all persons will benefit at some point from the use of these newly renovated facilities.
As such The Maria Holder Memorial Trust sees this project as crucial to the Health Sector and join the Psychiatric Hospital as they promote understanding of these issues, challenge stigma and continue to create an environment where mental health is embraced with the same compassion as any other facet of our health.