FEATURE MENTAL HEALTH
The development of a virtual group intervention
Hereford ’ s new Neighbourhood Mental Health Team is filling a gap in much needed support . Abigail Matthews explains how , with services impacted by the pandemic , a virtual group intervention was developed
The Neighbourhood Mental Health Team ( NMHT ) is a new service , set up as part of the sustainability and transformation plans in Hereford and created to fill the gap in primary mental health care support .
The service aims to integrate primary and secondary mental health care to better meet the diverse needs – from mild to moderate – of the local population . The model uses a seamless service whereby clients can access support at an earlier stage , with shorter episodes of care , thereby reducing the risk of long-term needs .
It is a multidisciplinary team , involving a range of professionals ; however , occupational therapy is in high demand given the lack of representation across the team .
The model has been difficult to implement , given the challenges brought about by the pandemic , but it was felt that a group-based intervention could meet the needs of the primary care population , and those ready to transition to less intensive support .
Developing a virtual group During the pandemic we noticed that our clients were particularly struggling to maintain their daily routines , preferred roles and meaningful occupations . As occupational therapists we found ourselves focusing on our core professional skills to help support people in a time of crisis ; re-building routine , exploring interests and developing short-term goals to support mental health needs .
As face-to-face interventions were put on hold , a telephone line was set up to offer people a regular check in call to assess safety , review mental health and signpost to support services . Social distancing , reduced physical contact , and virtual working , meant that clients were struggling with a lack of social connection , finding it difficult to achieve relaxation and distraction from everyday stressors .
Studies indicate that the pandemic has increased the demand for occupational therapy input , given worldwide experiences of occupational isolation , deprivation and injustice ( Balser et al 2020 , WFOT 2020 ). Hence , we decided to create an occupational therapy Recovery Through Activity group to address this need .
Clients were referred by clinicians within the NMHT , and while participants had a number of different diagnoses , they were all within the category of severe and enduring mental health needs . Clients were deemed appropriate for referral if they were showing a readiness to explore occupations and had the skills to access an online group .
Format and measuring success The Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool ( MOHOST ) was used to determine eligibility for the group and to provide an outcome measure . The Recovery Through Activity handbook was used to develop the session plan , given its focus on evidence in mental health practice , and SMART goal setting was used to promote achievement .
This project aimed to reduce the occupational therapy waiting list , offering a virtual group intervention , in order to reduce the need for future intensive support . This was highly relevant in the context of the new model and ways of working for providing short-term intervention .
It also enabled us to better link clients in with community and voluntary services , a key aim of the new model .
26 OTnews August 2021