Mental Health and Its Role in the Occupational Therapy Setting
Mental health can influence persons of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, and income levels. Duckworth (2013) states the National Alliance of Mental Illness illustrates that “approximately 1 in 4 adults in the U.S experiences mental illness in a given year. Approximately, 20% of youth ages 13-15, and 13% of youths age 8-15 experience mental disorders in a given year.” Unfortunately, many adults and children in the U.S will experience a serious mental illness that will heavily interfere with their primary life activities. Mental illness has financially impacted American society. Serious mental illnesses such as bipolar depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, just to name a few, cost America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year. Also, mood disorders, such as depression and severe anxiety, are the third highest source of hospitalization in the US (Duckworth, 2013). These statistics prove the vital importance of healthcare in the area of Mental Health. Occupational therapy can be divided into many areas of healthcare. However, its foundations are deep rooted in the mental health field. During the turn of the 20th century, it was proven that the patients that participated in “purposeful …show more content…
(Shelby County Schools Preschool and Special Education, n.d.) Occupational therapy services are almost always offered in conjunction with speech therapy. According to the Occupational therapist at Macon Hall Elementary, “OT cannot stand alone.” The students are pulled out of their classes to participate in 30 minute sessions one to two days a week depending on the severity of their needs. Even if the child is not school age, but are in the school district and qualify for services thru testing, they can receive services as well. Services become available for children in-district at age
Mental health can influence persons of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, and income levels. Duckworth (2013) states the National Alliance of Mental Illness illustrates that “approximately 1 in 4 adults in the U.S experiences mental illness in a given year. Approximately, 20% of youth ages 13-15, and 13% of youths age 8-15 experience mental disorders in a given year.” Unfortunately, many adults and children in the U.S will experience a serious mental illness that will heavily interfere with their primary life activities. Mental illness has financially impacted American society. Serious mental illnesses such as bipolar depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, just to name a few, cost America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year. Also, mood disorders, such as depression and severe anxiety, are the third highest source of hospitalization in the US (Duckworth, 2013). These statistics prove the vital importance of healthcare in the area of Mental Health. Occupational therapy can be divided into many areas of healthcare. However, its foundations are deep rooted in the mental health field. During the turn of the 20th century, it was proven that the patients that participated in “purposeful …show more content…
(Shelby County Schools Preschool and Special Education, n.d.) Occupational therapy services are almost always offered in conjunction with speech therapy. According to the Occupational therapist at Macon Hall Elementary, “OT cannot stand alone.” The students are pulled out of their classes to participate in 30 minute sessions one to two days a week depending on the severity of their needs. Even if the child is not school age, but are in the school district and qualify for services thru testing, they can receive services as well. Services become available for children in-district at age