Exploring OT's role in providing mental support for homeless individuals
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Despite limited access to mental health services, occupational therapy (OT) offers a promising, yet underutilized solution for the homeless community. This doctoral capstone project examines and explains how occupational therapy (OT) could be utilized to address the mental health needs of the homeless community. Current literature on this topic emphasizes how OT is still emerging and developing its expertise in working with this population. Existing literature also states how OT is undervalued within the mental health realm and is still trying to be recognized for its ability and contribution. This project aimed to examine how OT interventions can be utilized to improve mental health outcomes and overall quality of life for homeless adults. This project used a qualitative research design, including interviews with patients experiencing homelessness, surveys and interviews with healthcare staff, and interviews with occupational therapists. Key results highlighted the high prevalence of mental health challenges among the homeless population, the limited awareness of OT's role in mental health among healthcare providers, and the potential of OT interventions to address these needs. The project concluded that occupational therapy can play a vital role in providing mental health services to homeless individuals by focusing on functional skills, emotional support, and advocacy. It recommends increased education for healthcare providers about OT's expertise and greater integration of OT services into existing support systems for the homeless population.
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