Occupational Therapy and Mental Health

The book is a comprehensive textbook for occupational therapy students and occupational therapists working in the field of mental health. It presents different theories and approaches used, outlines the occupational therapy process, discusses the context of practice, and describes a wide range of techniques used by occupational therapists. These include physical activity, cognitive approaches, group work, creative activities, play and life skills. The book covers all areas of practice in the field, including mental health promotion, acute psychiatry, community work, severe and enduring mental illness, working with older people, child and adolescent mental health, forensic occupational therapy, substance misuse and working with people on the margins of society.

The theory chapters are written by occupational therapists who are recognised experts in their fields and the applied chapters are written by practitioners. an innovation in this edition is the inclusion of commentaries by service users on some of the chapters.

The fourth edition has been extensively revised and updated. The new structure reflects changes in service delivery and includes sections on philosophy and theory base, the occupational therapy process, ensuring quality, the context of occupational therapy, occupations, and client groups.

Important new areas that are now covered include mental health promotion, evidence-based practice, community development, and continuing professional development.