Advancing Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Practice

Advancing Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Practice looks at the contribution that occupational therapists make to the lives of clients living with mental illness. It examines current practice developments and the innovative research that is shaping occupational therapy within the mental health arena, nationally and internationally. The book employs a distinctive and engaging narrative approach, bringing to life key issues in practice and research. It introduces the reader to the mental health context, opening with a historical overview and then exploration of the current developments in occupational therapy before moving on to discuss the cultural context and the need for cultural sensitivity in practice. Service users and expert clinicians offer their narratives, through which the clinical utility and cultural appropriateness of existing occupational therapy concepts, assessments and outcome measures are discussed and the associated implications for practice highlighted. Advancing Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Practice introduces and explores a variety of specialised work contexts from practicing in acute inpatient settings to crisis intervention, home treatment, forensic mental health settings and the specialist role of occupational therapy in community mental health and social services. Chapters are enriched with case stories, personal narratives and guided reflection.

Contributors vii Preface ix Part I: Introducing the Mental Health Context 1 1 What have we been ‘doing’?: A historical review of occupational therapy 3 Elizabeth Anne McKay 2 The changing face of occupational therapy in mental health 17 Gabrielle Richards 3 Cultural sensitivity in context 30 Kee Hean Lim Part II: Exploring Practice Contexts 49 4 Engaging the disengaged: Practising in acute in-patient settings 51 Samantha Dewis and Michelle Harrison 5 Broadening horizons: Beyond acute mental health 63 Michelle Harrison and Samantha Dewis 6 ‘Doing’ in secure settings 76 Elaine Hunter and Elizabeth Anne McKay 7 Occupational, social and intrapersonal alienation explored in the community 89 Wendy Bryant 8 Strengths and challenges to practice: Reconciling occupational justice issues as a prerequisite to mental health recovery 103 Karen L. Rebeiro Gruhl 9 The art of occupation 118 Jacqueline Ede 10 Vocational rehabilitation in the UK: How occupational therapy can contribute 132 Carla van Heerden 11 Powerful stories and challenging messages 147 Graeme Smith Part III: Research and Future Directions 159 12 Reviewing consumer-run mental health services 161 Samson Tse and Carolyn Doughty 13 Twists and turns: The development of a clinical–academic career pathway 189 Edward A. S. Duncan 14 Researching within mental health: Slow and steady – a Canadian tour 204 Thelma Sumsion 15 Future prospects for occupational therapy in mental health 215 Christine Craik Index 227