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Occupational Therapy for Mental Health and Recovery

Occupational therapy (OT) can help to empower you, bringing more confidence and independence into your life. The work done in OT should be adapted to you, supporting your goals and what you want a meaningful life to look like.

At Southern Hill, occupational therapy is just one part of the wider multidisciplinary care we provide.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy does not always refer to a job or profession. Occupations can involve everyday tasks and activities that matter to people.

Activities occupational therapy looks to support include:

  • Self-care

  • Daily routines

  • Preparing food

  • Social activity

  • Hobbies

  • Education or working

How Can Occupational Therapy Support Mental Health?

Mental health occupational therapy helps rebuild confidence, create meaningful routines, and build skills that will serve people well after they leave the hospital.

These can be the foundation for helping people feel more independent and ready to face the world. Coping skills can allow people to better manage difficult situations and regain interest in activities that they may have neglected due to mental health issues.

Occupational therapy is focused on helping people find purpose. Research shows that having purpose in life can reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

Assessment and Individual Goals

At Southern Hill, occupational therapy focuses on what matters to you. We'll look at your strengths, difficulties, routines, and functional needs to identify where OT support will help.

Progress is regularly reviewed, so we can make regular changes throughout the programme to find what works best for you.

Meaningful Activities and Daily Routines

Structure and meaningful activities can be important to mental health. Life may have gotten out of control, so creating daily structure and healthy routines can help reduce stress and fill your day with meaning.

At Southern Hill, we’ll look to build confidence in people, perform typical tasks and reignite passion for hobbies and interests they may have left behind. You’ll participate in meaningful therapeutic activities, reflecting your interests.

Meaning doesn’t have to refer to some grand purpose. It can be activities or tasks that get something done, that you enjoy, that help build your confidence.

Building Independent Living Skills

Daily tasks can be taken for granted.

Occupational therapy can teach you practical skills that can give you confidence and independence in everyday life.

If you become more practised in certain tasks (like talking to people or problem-solving), you'll have more confidence in your ability to manage after discharge.

Preparing for independence and developing living skills can support a smoother transition into the community and working towards personal recovery goals.

Vocational and Community Rehabilitation

Vocational activities may play a role in OT as we understand that longer-term recovery for some may involve education, employment or meaningful roles that require more specific support.

Community engagement may play a part if required, helping you rebuild the confidence to connect with others and access community resources and support networks. This can be done to help reduce isolation once you leave Southern Hill and develop independence.

The level of support you will receive will match your needs, confidence and stage of recovery.

Occupational Therapy for Addiction Recovery

Occupational therapy for addiction rehabilitation can be useful. It can help with rebuilding healthy routines, developing independent living skills and reconnecting with meaningful activities.

This support can support motivation in recovery, not just focused on not drinking or using drugs, but on making positive changes and finding purpose.

If appropriate, community reintegration support may help in preparing for life beyond treatment. In longer recovery programmes, vocational rehabilitation may also be offered, depending on the person’s needs and availability.

Occupational Therapy and the Multidisciplinary Team

Occupational therapy is just one part of the services we provide at Southern Hill, sitting alongside other disciplines.

We offer coordinated, multidisciplinary care, provided by our team that includes:

  • Consultant Psychiatrist

  • Doctor

  • Registered Nurses

  • Psychology

  • Therapy Support Workers

  • Occupational Therapists

  • Music Therapist

  • Personal Trainer

Preparing for Life Beyond Hospital

Life after your time at Southern Hill will be different to before and during your stay. It could mean rebuilding relationships, living with others or alone, finding a job, exercising more.

We’ll work with you to help strengthen practical skills and establish healthy routines before discharge that can continue once you leave. As part of discharge planning, the team and you can come together and identify potential challenges and whether any additional support might be needed after you leave.

For more information about occupational therapy at Southern Hill Hospital or to speak with our admissions team, get in touch today.

Occupational Therapy FAQs

  • Helps develop the confidence and skills to perform everyday tasks.

  • Everyday activities that we want, need or like to do to live a fulfilling life.

  • Yes, occupational therapy can help with skills like cooking, cleaning, dressing yourself, talking to others and many more.

  • Yes. It may support building healthy routines, learning coping skills and community reintegration.

  • It may form part of a wider personalised treatment plan, depending on your needs, recovery goals and available services.

  • It can help strengthen practical skills that you’ll use day-to-day, establish healthy routines, identify further support needs and connect you with appropriate resources.

 
 

Southern Hill Hospital is a part of IHCM

Integrated Health Care Management Group (IHCM) is a UK-based health and social care management organisation. IHCM operates and manages a network of hospitals, residential and nursing care homes and supported living services, providing governance, clinical oversight and strategic leadership across the Group. Individual services are registered and regulated through their respective provider organisations, with IHCM providing the management infrastructure and support to deliver safe, high-quality and compassionate care.  ihcm.co.uk