How Can Occupational Therapy Help with Mental Health

What is Occupational Therapy in Mental Health?

Occupational therapy in mental health uses purposeful activity and therapeutic tasks to help people develop the skills and coping mechanisms needed to overcome or manage mental illness and engage fully in life. Unlike talk therapy, which focuses on emotional processing, OT focuses on addressing practical, everyday challenges.

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) defines occupations as everything people do to occupy themselves, including taking care of themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure), and contributing to society (productivity) (AOTA, 2020).

An occupational therapist (OT) assesses three key areas that influence mental well-being (COT, 2023):

• •The Person: Their skills, habits, strengths, and limitations (e.g., self-esteem, motivation, physical energy).
• •The Environment: The physical, social, and cultural context in which they live (e.g., home organisation, support network).
• •The Occupation: The activities they need, want, or are expected to perform (e.g., job hunting, cooking, socialising).

How OT Addresses Specific Mental Health Challenges

OT interventions are highly personalized and focus on building tangible skills and routines that often break down during periods of mental illness.

Combating Depression and Apathy

Depression often leads to a loss of interest and difficulty maintaining self-care routines. OT works to reintroduce structure and purpose:

• •Routine Establishment: Creating a stable daily schedule for waking, sleeping, meals, and hygiene, which is proven to regulate mood and energy (Mental Health Foundation, 2022).
• •Graded Activity: Gradually reintroducing meaningful activities, starting with simple tasks (e.g., making a cup of tea) and moving to more complex ones (e.g., engaging in a hobby or returning to work). This process provides successful experiences that challenge feelings of helplessness.

Managing Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety can severely limit participation in necessary activities. OTs use practical techniques to reduce emotional distress and increase confidence:

• •Coping Strategies: Teaching and practicing relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and sensory regulation strategies to manage panic attacks and overwhelming feelings.
• •Exposure and Social Skills Training: Systematically practicing activities that trigger anxiety (e.g., using public transport, attending a meeting) in a controlled environment, slowly reducing avoidance behaviours (Rethink Mental Illness, 2024).

Supporting Psychotic Disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia)

For complex conditions, OT focuses on developing core life skills to promote independence and community integration:

• •Executive Function Training: Improving skills like planning, organization, and problem-solving through practical tasks like managing finances, cooking complex meals, and navigating appointments.
• •Housing and Vocational Support: Assisting with finding supportive housing, developing job skills, and connecting patients with vocational rehabilitation services (Psych Central, 2021).

Key Therapeutic Activities Used by OTs

Occupational therapy uses "occupations" as the tool for change. These are not arbitrary tasks but carefully selected activities tailored to the person's goals.

• •Self-Care Training: Practicing hygiene, grooming, and medication management to restore independence and dignity.
• •Leisure and Social Skill Development: Identifying and facilitating enjoyable hobbies (art, music, gardening) to improve mood, and practicing conversational skills and setting social boundaries to improve relationships (AJOT, 2021).
• •Work and Education Readiness: Developing time management skills, focusing attention, improving sustained effort, and practicing interview skills to support a successful return to professional or academic life.

Research shows that occupational therapy interventions are effective in improving independence, social engagement, and quality of life for individuals with severe mental illnesses (Cochrane Review, 2024).

Environmental and Caregiver Support in Mental Health OT

A critical component of mental health OT is modifying the physical and social environment to support well-being.

• •Environmental Modification: Helping to create a home environment that is supportive, safe, and organized. This might involve setting up visual schedules, reducing sensory overload (e.g., light, noise), or implementing safety measures (AOTA, 2020).
• •Caregiver Education: Providing support and strategies to family members and caregivers to ensure they understand how to best facilitate the patient's independence and recovery in the home setting.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy offers a uniquely practical and activity-focused path to mental health recovery. By viewing the patient's meaningful activities, their "occupations", as both the goal and the means of therapy, OTs empower individuals to manage their symptoms, establish routines, and confidently return to their desired roles in life. OT doesn't just treat the illness; it rebuilds the structure and purpose necessary for a fulfilling, independent life.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References

1. [1] American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (2020). Occupational Therapy's Role in Mental Health.
2. [2] College of Occupational Therapists (COT). (2023). Occupational Therapy and Mental Health.
3. [3] Mental Health Foundation. (2022). The Importance of Routine for Mental Wellbeing.
4. [4] Rethink Mental Illness. (2024). Anxiety and Mental Health: Occupational Therapy.
5. [5] Psych Central. (2021). Occupational Therapy for Schizophrenia.
6. [6] American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT). (2021). The Impact of Leisure Participation on Mental Health Outcomes.
7. [7] Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2024). Occupational therapy for persons with severe mental illness.
8. [8] NHS. (2024). Occupational therapists.

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Written by Ionela Marinau

Dec 03, 2025 • 10 minutes read

Medically reviewed by Jerri De Melverda