Creating Opportunities for Participation Within and Beyond Mental Health Day Services

Abstract

Thinking about occupational alienation helped to make sense of people's experiences in mental health day services. Mental health day services have been developed to bridge the gap between hospital services and community life. For people with long-term mental health problems, the occupational and social opportunities available within the day services can be used to support recovery and prevent relapse. When developed in collaboration with clients, these opportunities can overcome the experience of occupational alienation, characterized by meaninglessness, withdrawal, and boredom. Occupational alienation as a concept challenges occupational therapists (OTs) to design and adapt occupations that reflect personal and shared meanings, create a sense of ownership and belonging, and offer meaningful choices to clients. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009.