From a tiny seed to a garden: cultivating hope and community.

Abstract

Occupational Therapists in mental health settings engage people through client-centred, individualised and empowering occupation based approaches to help them lead fulfilling lives. In community based mental health services, OTs often engage consumers in recovery-oriented therapeutic groups with a focus on developing skills, improving daily routines, exploring personal interests and identity, and facilitating social and community connections. The positive impacts of group-based interventions for recovery of people with mental illness are well established in literature, as well as the benefit of horticultural occupations in occupation-based intervention and mental health recovery.