Mental Health Supports

Mental Illness can significantly impact an individual’s ability to engage in daily life activities that are meaningful and lead to productive daily routines. Occupational therapy can play an important role in assisting individuals with mental illness develop and/or restore the skills needed for participation and satisfaction in their daily life activities.

Sessions with a focus on mental health are provided by Occupational Therapists through one-on-one assessment and skill building. This allows for an individualised therapy approach where strengths and difficulties will be understood to navigate the pathway towards achieving goals.

Sessions are recovery model focused, enabling individuals to live as independently as possible whilst engaging in meaningful activities and life roles.

What is the role of an Allay Occupational Therapist?

The role of Mental Health Occupational Therapists at Allay is to work with people to maximise their individual potential to engage in everyday meaningful activities. We draw on a range of psychological and occupational therapy strategies to assist in understanding of one’s own mental health and cope with their daily function, productivity and capacity through graded tasks and activities.

We aim to build a therapeutic relationship with the person, fostering a safe, secure place to explore difficulties that may impact on allowing positive relationships, community engagement or productivity.

Achieving this will include an assessment of needs that guides the Occupational Therapist on how to build capacity and deliver therapy. This will at times be in consultation with other important people such as family, friends, other health practitioners, employers or caregivers, to ensure comprehensive understanding and integrating strategies.

Examples of supporting an engaged life for those experiencing mental illness include:

Addressing sleep difficulties,
Managing work or study,
Building social connection,
Fostering leisure,
Psychoeducation,
Creating routines,
Facilitating everyday activities such as household management and community access.

Programs will be tailored to the specific needs of the person and their supports, drawing from a wealth of innovative, evidence-based resources and training held at Allay.

Other supports such as doctors or therapists will be collaborated with to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated approach.

Who might see a Mental Health Occupational Therapist at Allay?

Individuals of all ages who have difficulties with their mental health can benefit from occupational therapy. People may be working, studying or in day programs, and living with family, friends, or in group settings. Seeking support in the workforce, transitions to more independent living situations, building on their social skills, or wanting better stability in their emotions and sensory integration may benefit from Occupational Therapy at Allay.

Additionally, carers and family members can also benefit from these services to learn ways to deal with the stress of caregiving and how to balance their daily responsibilities to allow them to continue to lead productive and meaningful lives

What is the background of Mental Health Occupational Therapy?

Research continues to uphold that the interplay between people and their everyday activities, environments and habits, is central to building skills, meaning and satisfaction in life. Occupational Therapists will utilise frameworks to address this via analysis of potential thoughts, feelings or actions and the impact on performance in activities.

Helping people better learn how to replace the adverse patterns in their lives with more positive ones, creating new relationships and new connections that allow them to lead happier and healthier lifestyles.

Allay—Early-Childhood-Intervention–background