Occupational Therapy’s Role in Addressing the Psychological and Social Impact of COVID-19

Abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health care practitioners’ primary focus has been on its physical consequences. Yet, the emotional strain of the pandemic exposed the mental health needs of survivors and society as a result of forced changes in occupational choices, habits, and roles. These forced changes caused a collective confusion, fear, loss, and grief. This column focuses on occupational therapy’s critical contributions to supporting society’s mental health and wellness. Occupational therapy has a unique opportunity to provide interventions to address population-wide mental health and wellness, targeted prevention of mental health concerns for people at risk, and intensive intervention for people with COVID-19–induced mental health diagnoses.

Exploring Well-Being: Resilience, Stress, and Self-Care in Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Students

“…Although OT practitioners continue to demonstrate a strong to be the agents of change for the well-being of their clients (Lannigan & Tyminski, 2021; Rafeedie et al, 2018), research on professional well-being and self-care remains limited and does not consistently consider students. Contextual factors play a crucial role in professional well-being.…”