OT's role in mental health

Kelli

Case Study

Kelli is a 17 year old senior in high school. Kelli was diagnosed with depression prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic her depression has gotten worse. Kelli was referred to occupational therapy. Kelli is being treated in outpatient occupational therapy for depression.

Why COVID made Kelli's depression worse

COVID Connection

• depression rates tripled
• symptoms intensified
• social isolation
• job loss
• missed opportunities
• financial stress

OT/OTA's role

OT/OTA Role

• creating routines
• practicing mindfulness
• advocacy
• increasing leisure activities
• returning to work
• returning to everyday life
• activities of daily living
• self expression

Amelia

Case Study

Amelia is a 17 year old female and a senior in high school

She was diagnosed with anxiety earlier this year.

Her symptoms included

• increased heart rate
• trouble sleeping
• avoiding things that cause her to feel worried

Effect of COVID

• Increase in use of technology
• Not being able to see friends
• Pandemic Induced uncertainty
• Inability to participate in leisure activities

COVID Connection

Occupational Therapy

OT/OTA Roles

Build Coping Skills

• Meditation/Mindfulness
• Gratitude Journal
• Create new routines

Riley

Case Study

Riley is a 16 year old non-binary individual that has been diagnosed with OCD.

Due to covid their symptoms have increased and has altered their ability to function within the community and with old friends. However with the covid restrictions beginning to be lifted they have been recommended to OT to help with building a structured routine to increase social activity and create strategies to help cope with their OCD symptoms.

COVID Connection

COVID Connection

• Now that COVID restriction have been lifted, they have difficulty leaving the house due to the fear of getting COVID and feeling not clean.
• Constant fear of germs
• Social isolation
• Adjusting to re-entering society and education

Occupational Therapy Assistant

OT/OTA Roles

• Establishing a structured routine
• Encouraging social interaction
• Creating healthy coping strategies
• Finding new or old interests

Materials

• Paper (preferably colored)
• Tape
• Scissors
• Staples

Materials

Instructions

References

Reference List

• Anxiety, stress and overwhelm in the modern day! Thriving Minds Psychology. (n.d.). Rhttps://www.tmpclinic.com.au/2019/10/27/anxiety/
• Depression rates tripled and symptoms intensified during first year of COVID-19. Brown University. (2022). https://www.brown.edu/news/2021-10-05/pandemic-depression
• Depression: Involvement of the occupational therapist. Physiothérapie Universelle. (2019, January 14). https://physiotherapieuniverselle.com/en/blogue/depression-involvement-occupational-therapist/
• OCD symptoms, causes and risk factors. Redheal. (2021). Retrieved March 2, 2022, from https://www.redheal.com/blog/uncategorized/why-some-people-repeat-doing-same-things-well-they-must-be-suffering-from-ocd-ocd-ocd-symptoms/
• DIY ramadan banner + crafts. Bayance. (2019) https://bayance.wordpress.com/2018/05/27/diy-ramadan-banner-crafts/
• Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432
• Teens and anxiety during covid. 19. (n.d.). https://covid19.ssri.psu.edu/articles/teens-and-anxiety-during-covid-19
• Rizvi, F. (2018, October 21). Creativity and depression: A volatile concotion. Medium. Retrieved March 2, 2022, from https://medium.com/@faraz.rizvi/creativity-and-depression-a-volatile-concotion-e1c72a0e78da