Occupational Therapy Programming Facilitates Goal Attainment in a Community Work Rehabilitation Setting

An occupational therapy program for participants with mental health challenges, a history of serious mental illness, recovering from substance use disorders, on parole/probation, and/or experiencing homelessness was implemented in a community work rehabilitation setting. The impact of occupational therapy interventions focused on stress and anger management, sleep hygiene, anxiety and depression management, relapse prevention for addiction, vocational and academic skill building, money management, healthy eating, and relationship and leisure skill development. Participant satisfaction and performance scores regarding individual goal setting and attainment was collected and analyzed via retrospective review of pre/post outcome scores ( n = 44) obtained through the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Results indicated significant differences ( p < .05) from baseline to end of the program, with high effect sizes ( d = 1.79–1.94). End of program participant satisfaction and performance scores were highly correlated ( r = .88, p < .00), indicating those who were highly satisfied reported greater performance scores. Post discharge narrative participant responses also support COPM outcomes. Findings suggest community-based occupational therapy may improve individual performance and satisfaction in daily activities while enhancing participation in tasks that are healthy and significant to the person.