Occupational therapy help?
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Hello all,
Its been a while since I posted here! I've been busy studying! I'm an occupational therapy student and I was pondering on what to do my final research study in, and ofcourse the knock is something very close to my heart in good and bad ways (I try and have positive outlooks on life).
It was my dad who received the knock, and I noticed prior to the offence, my dad started doing less and less and his mental health declined.. this was over the course of years not just months. And he's recently 3 years after the knock started running again, and the difference in him is just wonderful again! And it got me comparing this to the idea of occupational therapy intervention for people who are having these thoughts or who have already experienced the knock. I understand occupational therapists work alongside offenders within a prison, but what about a community setting? Is there help readily available from any occupational therapists?
So a few questions, did anyone notice such changes in family members behaviour? Does anyone feel like having occupational therapy support after would have been beneficial? For both family members and the offender? I remember just leaving the house was daunting, and even now we do family days out and I'm frantically googling if we can legally do it! Having someone to encourage such activities whilst having a good understanding would surely be so beneficial?
I have a lot of questions and thoughts on the matter and its just something I feel like occupational therapists could have a huge impact on! For those who don't know, occupational therapists work with people to perform tasks and activities that they enjoy doing, which may be hindered due to mental or physical health problems, and ofcourse we all know how much this really does effect people, I would never wish the impact of this on my worst enemy and unfortunately with it being a bit of a taboo subject, I feel like asking these questions in a student setting might not be the place to get the answers that are truly helpful.
I hope all of this makes sense, even if I'm just talking for talking sake, it's just a conversation I've wanted to have for a while! Or if there are any articles or books which if I do decide to do my research on this would also be amazing :)
Its been a while since I posted here! I've been busy studying! I'm an occupational therapy student and I was pondering on what to do my final research study in, and ofcourse the knock is something very close to my heart in good and bad ways (I try and have positive outlooks on life).
It was my dad who received the knock, and I noticed prior to the offence, my dad started doing less and less and his mental health declined.. this was over the course of years not just months. And he's recently 3 years after the knock started running again, and the difference in him is just wonderful again! And it got me comparing this to the idea of occupational therapy intervention for people who are having these thoughts or who have already experienced the knock. I understand occupational therapists work alongside offenders within a prison, but what about a community setting? Is there help readily available from any occupational therapists?
So a few questions, did anyone notice such changes in family members behaviour? Does anyone feel like having occupational therapy support after would have been beneficial? For both family members and the offender? I remember just leaving the house was daunting, and even now we do family days out and I'm frantically googling if we can legally do it! Having someone to encourage such activities whilst having a good understanding would surely be so beneficial?
I have a lot of questions and thoughts on the matter and its just something I feel like occupational therapists could have a huge impact on! For those who don't know, occupational therapists work with people to perform tasks and activities that they enjoy doing, which may be hindered due to mental or physical health problems, and ofcourse we all know how much this really does effect people, I would never wish the impact of this on my worst enemy and unfortunately with it being a bit of a taboo subject, I feel like asking these questions in a student setting might not be the place to get the answers that are truly helpful.
I hope all of this makes sense, even if I'm just talking for talking sake, it's just a conversation I've wanted to have for a while! Or if there are any articles or books which if I do decide to do my research on this would also be amazing :)
Hi Mac,
Just wanted to say that I'm so impressed with your ideas and thinking! I'm sure others with specific stories to tell will come along to answer your questions soon, but my immediate response was that our son, living with us whilst on pre-charge bail, has started to run most days and we can tell how much better he looks and sounds afterwards. Also, I want to hide away most days but when I make myself go for a walk I always feel far more like the old 'me' afterwards.
Hope you can use your experiences to help your career as an OT go from strength to strength! Good luck xxx
Just wanted to say that I'm so impressed with your ideas and thinking! I'm sure others with specific stories to tell will come along to answer your questions soon, but my immediate response was that our son, living with us whilst on pre-charge bail, has started to run most days and we can tell how much better he looks and sounds afterwards. Also, I want to hide away most days but when I make myself go for a walk I always feel far more like the old 'me' afterwards.
Hope you can use your experiences to help your career as an OT go from strength to strength! Good luck xxx
Hi Mac,
I saw your post re occupational therapy and physical activity. I dint think there's any doubt that physical activity, getting outdoors and the social aspect has a positive effect on mental health.
One thing I see as a potential barrier to participation is the paranoia in society about offenders that prevents them from joining gyms, visiting Leisure centres or participating in group sporting activities.
While I have no personal experience, it's my understanding that due to safeguarding issues following various widely publicised cases regarding sports coaches and child abuse, most sports clubs and associations will refuse membership (or eject existing members) who are sex offenders.
Finally, I believe SHPO requirements may prevent offenders from participating in activities where there will be/might be children present.
It really does make me feel angry that offenders have such barriers to activities that can help them turn their lives around, have a more healthy lifestyle than one spent on their phone or laptop, and improve their mental health - and, I would imagine improves their family lives and relationships. There are plenty safeguards in place and I understand research has shown most offenders are unlikely to commit a contact offence. So why do the authorities and society in general continue to punish them by restricting their activities and opportunities to rehabilitate?
Sorry this turned into a rant.
I saw your post re occupational therapy and physical activity. I dint think there's any doubt that physical activity, getting outdoors and the social aspect has a positive effect on mental health.
One thing I see as a potential barrier to participation is the paranoia in society about offenders that prevents them from joining gyms, visiting Leisure centres or participating in group sporting activities.
While I have no personal experience, it's my understanding that due to safeguarding issues following various widely publicised cases regarding sports coaches and child abuse, most sports clubs and associations will refuse membership (or eject existing members) who are sex offenders.
Finally, I believe SHPO requirements may prevent offenders from participating in activities where there will be/might be children present.
It really does make me feel angry that offenders have such barriers to activities that can help them turn their lives around, have a more healthy lifestyle than one spent on their phone or laptop, and improve their mental health - and, I would imagine improves their family lives and relationships. There are plenty safeguards in place and I understand research has shown most offenders are unlikely to commit a contact offence. So why do the authorities and society in general continue to punish them by restricting their activities and opportunities to rehabilitate?
Sorry this turned into a rant.
This is fantastic.
I think an OT would be amazing support for anyone in recovery from addiction. My OH is 50 weeks clean after decades of active drug use. He often says that he does know how to be a "normal" person and that he doesn't actually know who he is. What he does know is that he doesn't like himself. I think OT support would be brilliant.
I think an OT would be amazing support for anyone in recovery from addiction. My OH is 50 weeks clean after decades of active drug use. He often says that he does know how to be a "normal" person and that he doesn't actually know who he is. What he does know is that he doesn't like himself. I think OT support would be brilliant.
Wow such powerful responses already thankyou! I can relate to all of them already! I feel like the category of sex offender is a very strong one, and as much as I understand why they are in place to protect people, surely there can be more in place to rehabilitate back into society? I really do believe mental health plays such a massive part in why our loved ones did what they did, and either having a more open place to go and say I have a problem where someone like an OT could help? Or even after the offence has taken place someone who can work closely to create a normal life for all involved!
I think what the courts and police forget, is that before the event takes place these people are family members who have lived completely normal lives and that actually it may be more beneficial to try and resume that life with more positive outlooks and coping strategies rather then in our case a 10 year limitation of what they can and cant do? Ofcourse these are all hypothetical thoughts and I'm just typing as I think!
I also completely agree with how they think about themselves, my dad admitted he used to look in the mirror and just see disgust, which was so hard to hear as he always looked so happy?! Where as now, I would like to think he has his wonderful grand daughter who looks upto him, a grand daughter who has to be supervised but they make such a positive impact on each other and I just wish more could be done and I feel like I may be going into a position where I could make a change, even a small one!
Thankyou so much everyone, it hits close to home for us all but with new member unfortunately joining the group everyday, there is power in numbers :)
I think what the courts and police forget, is that before the event takes place these people are family members who have lived completely normal lives and that actually it may be more beneficial to try and resume that life with more positive outlooks and coping strategies rather then in our case a 10 year limitation of what they can and cant do? Ofcourse these are all hypothetical thoughts and I'm just typing as I think!
I also completely agree with how they think about themselves, my dad admitted he used to look in the mirror and just see disgust, which was so hard to hear as he always looked so happy?! Where as now, I would like to think he has his wonderful grand daughter who looks upto him, a grand daughter who has to be supervised but they make such a positive impact on each other and I just wish more could be done and I feel like I may be going into a position where I could make a change, even a small one!
Thankyou so much everyone, it hits close to home for us all but with new member unfortunately joining the group everyday, there is power in numbers :)
Its a great idea, but do offenders qualify for any help? I looked at the provision of occupational therapy in my local area, and it says it is for people who have physical, mental and/ or social problems, as a result of accident, illness or ageing.
A great deal of it was focused on those with disabilities and those who have social care needs, such as washing or dressing themselves.
Most offenders do not fall within any of these categories.
A great deal of it was focused on those with disabilities and those who have social care needs, such as washing or dressing themselves.
Most offenders do not fall within any of these categories.