Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: Considerations for Advanced Practice

Occupational therapy began as a mental health profession nearly a century ago but over time has drifted toward other practice areas. It is imperative that occupational therapists rise to the challenges of 21st-century mental health care as clinicians, academicians, scientists, and leaders in informing and determining policy and practice parameters. Practitioners with advanced skills and knowledge can develop leadership roles in and outside of occupational therapy realms. Assuming positions of leadership and influence in policy-making, clinical services, and education is vital to the sustainability of occupational therapy practice in mental health. This new publication provides a comprehensive discussion of recent advances and trends in mental health practice, including current theories, standards of practice, literature, and research as they apply to occupational therapy. With this book, readers can *Understand the implications of the work of the 2003 President s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health *Understand how the Recovery Model promotes consumer participation and offers a framework for occupational therapy practice in mental health *Learn how to apply the principles of mental health transformation and the Recovery Model to occupational therapy practice *Understand the impact of current trends in mental health such as trauma-informed care, consumer-directed care, and the use of evidence-based practices on occupational therapy practice Identify advanced roles for occupational therapists, including advocacy, leadership, private practice, and consultant, and learn paths for assuming those roles. Highlights include Section 1. Occupation and Mental Health foundations, definitions, vision, identity, occupation-focused community health and wellness programs, and evidence-based practice Section 2. Occupational Engagement and Psychiatric Conditions children and youth, adults, and older adults with mental illness; evaluation in advanced practice; high-risk situations; involuntary commitment, forensic settings, and violence; and trauma Section 3. Consumer-Centered Practice system transformation and client-centered principles and systems Section 4. Mental Health Systems and Team Participation policy and regulation, collaboration, and community resources and care management Section 5. Advocacy leadership and advocacy. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health was developed with feedback from focus groups and input from advanced practitioners in mental health practice. The chapters are informed by the work of leading federal and nongovernmental entities such as the National Institute of Mental Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Empowerment Center, the National Council on Community Behavioral Healthcare, the National Council on Persons With Disabilities, and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.