FEATURE MENTAL HEALTH
category , and what goals or next steps they would like to take .
Group participants kept their reflective logs in their personal group folders , with group handouts and completed exercises from the manual .
Group evaluation , celebration and action plan The final group session celebrated each participant ’ s engagement and completion of the programme . Participants reflected on their experiences in the group and discussed their thoughts and plans for ongoing and future activity engagement .
Following the completion of the group , facilitators met with each participant to review their reflective logs and consider their personal goals .
Participants were supported to incorporate their goals into a personal action plan , giving consideration as to how they would achieve the goal and who they may need to link in with for support or assistance , if required .
Review dates were set to ensure progress was evaluated and additional plans of action or support provided if necessary .
Patterns of occupation Four weeks after the intervention participants recorded their current pattern of occupation . This was compared with their pre-intervention in their selfreferral form .
All five group participants showed an increased level of engagement in new activities , with some of the new activities they incorporated in their routines including : a pool group ; yoga / pilates class ; a new creative work placement ; enrolment at college for a catering course ; a baking session with support staff ; exploring volunteer roles ; enrolment in an IT skills class ; planned day trips and overnight stays ; planned theatre trips ; researching and exploring new physical activities ; and participants independently meeting up for coffee .
Group feedback An independent clinician completed Emotional Touchpoint evaluations ( Dewar et al 2009 ) with participants , and feedback included :
‘ The group was a nice bunch of people . I don ’ t have a lot of social support , no family or friends , and I feel very isolated at times . I felt safe once I got to know others in the group , and respected , the others were very good with me , and everyone was treated as equals , like a fraternity . I felt comfortable ; the others were easy to be with . I could have my shield down in the group as we were all in the same boat .’
‘ I have a connection with someone now , I am happy to spend time with him outside the group . We meet for coffee now and again .’
Engagement in the FCMH & LDT Recovery through Activity group has resulted in participants ’ pattern of occupation improving in terms of balance and variety . Participants developed goals to work towards maintenance of engagement in new activities and occupational competence .
Emotional Touchpoints enabled participants to reflect on and identify a range of emotions and outcomes they associated with the group experience .
These outcomes highlight the positive impact this intervention had for participants and that the identified aims of the programme were achieved .
A key theme identified in group facilitators ’ reflections was the effectiveness of dedicating time to help participants explore and understand the value and benefit of engaging in a range of activities / occupations , as opposed to only facilitating participant engagement .
This is an aspect of practice that the occupational therapy team now incorporates into individual and group occupational therapy interventions to ensure patients develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the benefit of achieving a well-balanced pattern of occupation , which in turn has proven to increase motivation to engage .
References
Cronin-Davis J ( 2017 ) Forensic mental health : creating occupational opportunities . In : C Long , J Cronin-Davis , D Cotterill ( eds ). Occupational therapy evidence in practice for mental health ( 2nd ed ). Oxford : Wiley Blackwell
Dewar B , Mackay R , Smith S , Pullin S and Tocher R ( 2009 ) Use of emotional touchpoints as a method of tapping into the experience of receiving compassionate care in a hospital setting . Journal of Research in Nursing , 15 ( 1 ): 29-41
Eklund M , Brunt D , Argentzell E ( 2020 ) Perceived occupational balance and wellbeing among people with mental illness living in two types of supported accommodation . Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy , 27 ( 6 ) 450-461
Parkinson S ( 2014 ) Recovery through activity : increasing participation in everyday life . London : Speechmark Publishing Ltd
Claire-Michelle Tolmie , specialist occupational therapist , Forensic Community Mental Health and Learning Disability Team , NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Directorate of Forensic Mental Health and Learning Disability . Funding for the venue and some of the activities was provided through a Royal Volunteer Service grant
30 OTnews August 2021