MENTAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
This is my 3rd week of exploring specializations within occupational therapy, and this week's subject is mental health occupational therapy. OT's in this field work with patients with mental disorders, mental stress, substance abusers, and patients with many other related problems. They can help with specific task such as getting on the right bus, correctly using/spending their money, and dealing with mental stress. For patients dealing with depression or substance abuse, OT's can help find them jobs that are at a tolerable stress level, and can help the patient deal with their illness. Like every other specialization in occupational therapy, you need at least a master's degree. To become specialized in mental health, it does not seem as rigorous as the procedures needed to become specialized in pediatric or geriatric occupational therapy. Additional training might be required, but I did not find that you need additional schooling after years of work or additional licensing to work in the mental health field. It is very important to have patience and compassion while working in this field, because patients may be very slow to show any forward progress. But, once progress is shown and the goal of helping a patient live a healthy and independent life is met, it is a very rewarding experience for both the patient and the therapist.
WORKS CITED
Lanette, Jen. "What Do Occupational Therapists Do in Mental Health?" eHow. Web. 10 February 2013.
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