I am a Kiwi OT and work in mental health...is there anyone else around that works in a similar field?

Are there many OT's in mental haelth in America?

So many questions =)

I also work in mental health.  i am in an outpatient partial hospitalization program.  I work with patients who have recently been released from in-pnt locked ward.

In America OTs were phased out of mental health in 90's and now it's hard to find them.  They were hiring art and rec therapists to replace us.  But since art and rec therapists cannot generate CPT/RVU ( money for services rendered) they are starting to get OTs back in mental health.

Hi Folks:

As an OT who began practicing in 1971, yes, you read that correctly, I have come to the perspective that every client I interact with, is a mental health/illness client. Everyone has "issues" and, whether due to trauma, degenerative disease, acute illness, or developmental disorder, those issues impact the individual's ability to rebound, and/or cope with their situations and conditions.

I know that generally speaking, (in the USA) mental health institutions have mostly gone by the wayside (except for some large, elderly state institutions with long-standing populations of chronic psychotics and criminals and the few and far-between acute care beds in general, community hospitals).

That not withstanding, every day that I work as an OT I am engaged to offer clients "the just-right challenge" and learning opportunities that may affect not only their response to illness; I may in some way affect the way they see and interact with themselves to improve their self concept, self esteem, and interpersonal skills.

Just my opinion.

Care fully,

Noel Levan, MA, OT/L

Hello ?Murphypants?,
Before I dispense wisdom (or folly) I'd appreciate some basic information, such as your name, the number of clients you have on your individual caseload, the number of other staff and their roles in this setting, whether there is a social worker (or department of social services), whether there is any opportunity to follow clients from the acute setting into whatever setting they move to and through next (including community-based education and/or vocational training programs), what is in your repertoire of program offerings, i.e. what form does "therapy" within your particular arena take  (do you offer craft work, interpersonal communications training, experiential activities such as a "ropes" course, programs that are life review/life shaping (such as "The Journey"), cooking, vocational interest and apptitude testing, self awareness activities, groups).... just give me some idea of what you've tried so that I don't offer what you may already know of.
Okay?


Noel
Occupational Therapist

noel_levan@hotmail.com

Hello,

I have practiced in primarily state funded psychiatric facilities and a few private (both profit and non-profit) for several years now.  In my observation, OTs have always had a very important role in the psychiatric arena, however, after the early 80's the positions often remained unfilled or with high turnover.  I think this has happened for a variety of reasons;

Pay-The state  system typically provided lower salaries, whereas OTs could make more money in other specialty areas. The federal system offered the same salary as other adjunct therapies. Private sectors began hiring adjunct therapies at cheaper salaries (RT, MT, ET, AT). 

Environment-Depending on where you work, some state hospital environment/mileau's lack many of the comforts that private settings offer.  However, I think is changing and the reverse may be coming true.

Skills-When an OT enters the psychiatric area of practice, many of the physical rehab and pediatric skills learned in our fieldworks and curriculum are lost if not practiced routinely.  Often, I see OTs working a full time position in psych. and a part time postion in other areas just to keep their skills current.  

Mental Health-OT is an AWESOME area to use your creativity in  providing evidence based practice, and a great stepping stone to support working with any other population or person who has experienced a change in their life.

Add life to your years, not just years to your life!

Sherrie

I am an ota in the Panhandle of Texas.  my first job was in a hospital that had an inpatient, and outpatient/partial program.  i had little training in my clinicals or schooling, so most of it was on the job.....ooooh boy.    the program was very successful (financially sound) for the hospital and for the patients.  A full time OT was hired and we started an Allen Cognitive program for the patients.... what a joy. we worked with children, elderly and acute.    I left the hospital to continue in longterm settings.   my mental health training (be it on the job) has benefited me in the geriatric setting.

The OT services at the Pavilion (mental health facility) have shut down twice in the last 8 years, not from the therapy dept, but from the mental health facility.  what a loss for the patients, the "heads" and "runners" of facilities/programs do not always understand our services.  how is the rest of the country doing, or the world for that matter?