Collaborative working has also better educated me on what matters to service users . It ensures work is always carried out on a truly person-centred basis .”
With such outcomes often being difficult to achieve in adult mental health , collaborative working has certainly contributed to better outcomes in terms of perceived improvements in service users ’ lives , during my experience on placement .
Collaborative working has also better educated me on what matters to service users . It ensures work is always carried out on a truly personcentred basis .
Some service users had the long-term goal of living independently , some wanted to focus on staying well , others just wanted to stay out of hospital .
Though intense at times , collaborative working has frequently been fun . I regularly found myself laughing with one individual who had the most wonderful sense of humour , often selfdeprecating , despite their having experienced great trauma . This enhanced and deepened the therapeutic relationship .
Service user-led therapy sessions have often been most enjoyable and I found myself engaging in certain activities for the first time . Being taught how to ‘ sticker bomb ’ bedroom furniture was a favourite ; it was fun , relaxing and , as one individual noted , it facilitated chat in a non-threatening way , which is particularly important to autistic people .
Collaborative working has benefitted me , as a clinician , in several other ways . The service users – the experts by experience – were my educators . They stressed the importance of staff gaining knowledge where there are gaps , not only around certain physical or mental health conditions , but also around societal values , variations and perceived ‘ norms ’.
Through collaborative working , I learned about the importance of being proactive and not just considering ‘ damage limitation ’. This is linked to the concept of continuous learning around issues such as eating disorders – versus ‘ disordered eating ’ for instance – gender identity issues and eating disorders within the LGBTQIA + community .
Through collaborative working with service users , I have gained a deeper understanding of combined conditions , such as eating disorders presenting alongside dyslexia , poor literacy skills , Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder .
I was told that in the ‘ eating disorder world ’, many therapies are book-based and may include written mantras . I learned that there tends to be a higher pain threshold in autistic people and that this , in turn , may pose additional risks .
Service users told me that alternative methods are needed , that all staff should be aware of these issues , and that we should seek every opportunity
Collaborative working has also better educated me on what matters to service users . It ensures work is always carried out on a truly person-centred basis .”
to complete essential and relevant training beyond that which is mandatory .
Again , one of the best ways is to work collaboratively and to listen to our service users , the experts by experience .
Collaborative working has opened my eyes to the myriad of possibilities and potential development which exists for the occupational therapy profession . This is particularly pertinent when working in an emerging role in the field of adult mental health in supported living .
Already , during my brief experience of working collaboratively in this service , a positive change has been observed ; I have seen service users gain a renewed sense of autonomy , self-respect and awareness .
There is also , of course , the potential for cost savings in the long term , as those in supported living who feel ready to live independently will be able to move on to the next stage of their lives .
I asked one service user the question , ‘ Why occupational therapy ?’ They answered , ‘ Because you don ’ t use jargon , you ’ re straight forward … and because you offer practical solutions .’
R
Ness O , Borg M , Semb R and Karlsson B ( 2014 ) Walking alongside : collaborative practices in mental health and substance use care . International Journal of Mental Health Systems , 8 : 1-8 . DOI : https :// bit . ly / 3SlC1vr
Words BELINDA CLAYTON , Third Year Occupational Therapy Apprentice , University of Hertfordshire
February 2024 OTnews 25