Promoting Activity and Participation in Individuals with Serious Mental Illness: The Action Over Inertia Approach

This book presents an Action Over Inertia approach to address disruptions in daily activities and community participation for people with serious mental illnesses, focusing on supported doing and engaging individuals in small activity and participation efforts to promote recovery and well-being.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book presents Action Over Inertia, a recovery-orientated, strengths-based approach to address the profound disruptions in daily activities and community participation often experienced by those living with serious mental illnesses. With a focus on supported doing, the Action Over Inertia approach engages individuals in small activity and participation efforts as an opening to making longer term and sustained changes that offer meaning and well-being. The book helps service providers develop their own knowledge of activities and the health and well-being benefits an individual might receive from activities. It also asks them to consider the biases, assumptions, and constraints that might impact their ability to implement interventions related to activity and participation. A range of worksheets, resources, vignettes, and other tools are provided to support this practice.

The manual was developed from the knowledge and practice of occupational science and therapy, but it will be of interest to any mental health professional, peer-provider, administrator, or policy maker interested in promoting recovery for people with serious mental illness.

The Action Over Inertia approach is based on the idea that individuals with serious mental illnesses are capable of making meaningful changes in their lives, but often face barriers to doing so. These barriers can include a lack of motivation, a sense of hopelessness, and a lack of knowledge and skills. The approach aims to address these barriers by providing individuals with support and encouragement to engage in small, incremental activities and participation efforts.

One of the key principles of the Action Over Inertia approach is that individuals are the experts in their own lives and that they have the capacity to identify their own goals and priorities. The approach also recognizes that individuals may need different types of support and encouragement depending on their individual needs and circumstances. For example, some individuals may need support to develop new skills or build confidence in their ability to participate in activities, while others may need support to overcome social barriers or access resources.

The Action Over Inertia approach is designed to be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of individuals with different backgrounds and experiences. It can be used in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, community centers, and homes. The approach is also designed to be cost-effective and sustainable, as it focuses on using existing resources and supports to promote recovery.

One of the key benefits of the Action Over Inertia approach is that it helps individuals to build their confidence and self-esteem. By engaging in small, incremental activities and participation efforts, individuals can begin to see themselves as capable and valuable members of their communities. This can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and improve overall well-being.

Another benefit of the approach is that it can help to improve mental health outcomes. Research has shown that engaging in physical activity and participation in community activities can have a positive impact on mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. By providing individuals with support and encouragement to engage in these activities, the Action Over Inertia approach can help to improve mental health outcomes and reduce the need for medication and other interventions.

In addition to its benefits for individuals, the Action Over Inertia approach can also have benefits for mental health professionals and service providers. By developing their own knowledge of activities and the health and well-being benefits an individual might receive from activities, mental health professionals can better support their clients and provide more effective interventions. Service providers can also use the approach to develop their own skills and knowledge in promoting recovery for people with serious mental illnesses.

Overall, the Action Over Inertia approach is a powerful tool for promoting recovery for people with serious mental illnesses. By focusing on supported doing and engaging individuals in small activity and participation efforts, the approach can help to break down barriers to change and build confidence and self-esteem. It can also improve mental health outcomes and reduce the need for medication and other interventions. As mental health professionals and service providers continue to explore and implement this approach, it is likely to have a significant impact on the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses and their communities.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 212 x 278 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367629021