Defining the environment to support occupational therapy intervention in mental health practice. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harrison, Michele; Angarola, Rocco; Forsyth, Kirsty; Irvine, Linda
• Is Part Of: British journal of occupational therapy. Volume 79:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Model of Human Occupation -- activities of daily living -- occupational participation; Occupational therapy -- Periodicals; 615.8515
• DOI: 10.1177/0308022614562787
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-0226

Abstract

More than 450 million people have been estimated to have mental health disorders worldwide with many more experiencing mental health challenges, according to the World Health Organization. People with mental health challenges can find their environments not supportive of their engagement in meaningful daily activities of self-care, work and leisure. While occupational therapists value having an understanding of how the environment impacts on a person's occupational participation, it has been argued that the concept has been poorly defined. The Model of Human Occupation provides a clinically useful definition of the environment. Moreover, the Model of Human Occupation provides clinical assessments and outcome measures that measure how the environment facilitates occupational participation.