The Occupational Therapy Department at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and the Department of Occupational Therapy in Trinity College Dublin’s School of Medicine have announced a new partnership that will see students undertake clinical placements within St Patrick’s Mental Health Services as part of the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (Honours) programme from Trinity. 

Occupational therapy aims to contribute to wellbeing, independence and satisfaction in daily life. The main goal of occupational therapy in a mental health setting is to support those experiencing mental health difficulties to participate in the everyday activities that matter to them.

The clinical placements facilitated by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services will offer students practical, first-hand experience as occupational therapists, while also supporting the delivery of high-quality mental health services. Students will apply their academic learning at Trinity to real-world scenarios, preparing them to become skilled occupational therapists equipped to support those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Examples of work undertaken by occupational therapists at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services include exploring lifestyle changes and setting goals to support recovery; developing skills to help service users live more independently; finding ways to make daily activities easier or more enjoyable; developing balanced and satisfying routines; identifying social supports and outlets; and preparing service users for discharge from hospital and to stay well at home.