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“Advice to my future self as a person and as an OT”

One would think that you make it in life solely because of your wins however a magazine article written by Benninger (2019) mentions how many successful people prosper because of their failures and not necessary despite of them. These individuals comprehend that setbacks are part of the journey to success. The only time we would say a person failed is when their stop trying to achieve a goal. “Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of success”, these were the profound words said by Huffington (2019).

Dear Self, for the times that commitments and responsibilities dragged you down and you’ve doubted your own abilities, take a pause to collect yourself, and move forward. Remember you can only change what is in your control, so focus on that and whatever is out of your control leave it to God. The challenges of meeting deadlines that sometimes seem impossible or team members that do not want to do their fair share will always be present. It is true, that the struggle is real all year. It’s okay to take a break but never give up, ever! There’s a better way to deal with the pressures of life and schoolwork. After all these years of enduring the stress, this is surely going to be worth it. “Trust in your talents, believe in those dreams. You’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for” (Warrell ,2020).

One day you will feel fired up as you will be living your dreams that you have been working so hard for. All the sleepless night and overuse of caffeine to keep yourself up so you can study would have paid off. You will be living your dream of becoming an OT.  When that day comes, I want you to learn and realize that your current worries or stressors do not always mean the truth and whatever negative situation you may be going through shall pass. The profession you have chosen may sometimes be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining as you need to be strong for your clients. But do not neglect yourself and health in the process. When things get overwhelming be brave enough to admit it and take a pause for the sake of yourself because remember you cannot pour from an empty cup.

 (Gateau, 2022)

In the mist of the hardships, look at the bright side. That is the true essence of being mentally strong means. When things do not go according to plan, it does not always mean you failed. Every setback is a reminder that you have tried, and it only makes you even stronger and ready for the next challenge. Just remain focused, be kind to yourself, stick to your goals and you will get there. It is just a matter of time!

References

Benninger, M. (2019). The psychology behind your failure. Blinkist magazine.https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/psychology-behind-fear-failure?utm_source=cpp (Accessed: 28/10/2022)

Gateau, Y. 2022. Inhabit the time [Illustration]. https://weandthecolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Illustrations-for-an-article-called-Inhabit-the-Time-in-the-french-Magazine-Panorama.jpg

Huffington, A. (2019). The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom and Wonder. Blinkist magazine. https://www.blinkist.com/books/thrive-en

Warrell, M. (2020). What Would Your ‘Future Self’ Want You To Do? (Prepare Yourself, It’s Unlikely To Be Comfortable). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2020/02/17/future-self-advice/

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"Occupational barriers in mental health"

The SA health department (2022) has estimated that 400 million people worldwide suffer from mental disorders or psychosocial problems.  According to a Unicef polling, a shocking 65% of young South Africans said they have experienced a mental health issue but did not seek help, and 18% were afraid of what people would think if they spoke up about their mental health.

A study conducted by Schulze & Angermeyer (2003) reveals how the lack of understanding may affect the perception that people without mental health illnesses have about those with a mental illness, the way in which they view a mental illness as well as the challenges that people who have a mental illness face in their everyday life. Krupa et al. (2009) support this finding in their research that explored the understanding of stigma around mental illness and employment. They discovered that there were five assumptions made in the workplace regarding workers with a mental illness. These included the assumption of incompetence, the assumption of danger and unpredictability, belief that mental illness is not a real illness, the belief that working is unhealthy for a person with mental illnesses, and the assumption that employing these individuals represents an act of charity within the workplace.

Researchers have also found that there is a lack of understanding of what occupational therapists do in mental health, this also expands to managers of facilities (Muñoz et al., 2000). This lack of understanding can lead to minimal promotion of occupational therapy services, which not only decreases the likelihood of occupational therapists being employed in mental health settings but more importantly disadvantages clients who are in need of OT services and ones who can tremendously improve from these services thus contributing to the barriers.

Based on observations, when having visited my grandmother in the rural, there is a significant lack of mental health providers and services and a greater deal of concern with regards to the social stigmas in the rural communities. As well as the lack of adequate knowledge causing a greater occupational barrier in mental health for those in rural communities compared to those in the city. This had made me realize the large deal of work that still needs to be done to advocate for mental health to ensure that those with mental illnesses do not feel excluded from their occupations and receive the health services that they should be receiving. I have also realised that stigma is one of the main causes of discrimination and exclusion to people with mental illness as it leads to a poor self-esteem, disrupts relationships and limits the individual’s ability to socialize and obtain housing and employment.

(Shutter stock, 2022)

This image depicts the huge potential that we have as a society to do great things regardless of the fact that you have a mental illness or not but in order to reach the other side we have barriers to break. We can do this through anti-stigma social campaigns and have programmes in communities and in workplaces that aim to educate and provide recommendations especially in the workplace that can lead to healthy work settings. We all have a role in breaking mental barriers, and we can conquer them together.

References

Michael, D., & Wright, J. (2022). Challenges related to worker characteristics in the workplace for people with mental illness, as rated by employees with and without mental illness. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 52(1), 34-44.

Schulze, B., & Angermeyer, M. C. (2003). Subjective experiences of stigma. A focus group study of schizophrenic patients, their relatives and mental health professionals. Social science & medicine, 56(2), 299-312.

Krupa T, Kirsh B, Cockburn L, Gewurtz R. (2009) Understanding the stigma of mental illness in employment. Work. 2009; 33(4): 413-425.

South African government (2022). Mental health awareness month 2022. https://www.gov.za/MentalHealthAwarenessMonth2022.

Shutter stock (2022). Break your mental barriers unleash potential [photograph]. https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/break-your-mental-barriers-unleash-600w-1893375337.jpg

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“COVID- Trick or treat – how has COVID impacted on the mental health people and your reflections on returning to normal”

A study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (2020) stated that 33% of South Africans were depressed, 45% were fearful, and 29% were experiencing loneliness during the first lockdown period.  This horrifying review depicts the large number of South Africans alone that have been suffering from mental health issues since the onset of Covid-19 and considering that some cases are not reported or/and unnoticed adds to the horror of the statistics.

While the provision of and access to essential services, including mental health care, was permitted during the lockdown, as announced by the government, some mental health care users were unable to access services due to risk and fear of physical contact and in-person consultations (Pillay & Barnes, 2020). Naidu (2020) states that due to public biological, psychological, and social predispositions in South Africa, COVID-19 may lead to mental health presentations such as post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. From my observations, it was quite clear that our government's attention was mostly geared toward the biomedical treatment of the effects of the virus and neglected the large impact the virus has had on the mental health of our people. Some people are still having to face the aftermath mental effects of covid-19. I believe that the government could have done more and prioritized the mental health of people and not just the government, but it would also help if the society could understand that mental health is as important as physical health in that way, we would support each other more when pandemics like these arise.

My personal experience of covid-19 has been both good and bad. It has been good because I had gotten a pause in life and had a chance to interact more with my family, even though that eventually led to us getting tired of being in each other's spaces 24/7. It was a good time to reflect on myself and discover new indoor hobbies that I was not quite aware of. The virus forced us to think of more innovative ways and use technology to progress with our studies. The year 2020 was certainly a challenging one, with having to transition from high school to university and having to feel as if you are alone due to limited interactions spent with classmates made it hard. The struggle of having to do a practical course online was not the easiest but as we are slowly moving to normal daily life, it will add a slight sense of relief mostly in my academics as I feel more prepared with the help of physical practical sessions. The presence of this virus has also made me realize that we are stronger than we imagine, having to push through this pandemic and adapt to change so quickly shows how great we are.

Leventhal (2020) reveals how covid-19 has bought us together as people, from companies donating to those in need to restaurants and shopping stores showing their gratitude to healthcare workers. The presence of Covid-19 has taught me how short life is and the importance of immersing yourself at the moment and living your life the best way possible. It made me realize that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to appreciate those people we value.

References

Human Sciences Research Council. (2020). HSRC responds to the COVID-19 outbreak. http://www.hsrc.ac.za/uploads/pageContent/11529/COVID-19%20MASTER%20SLIDES%2026%20APRIL%202020%20FOR%20MEDIA%20BRIEFING%20FINAL.pdf

Pillay, A. L., Barnes, B. R. (2020). Psychology and COVID-19: Impacts, themes and way forward. South African Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 148–153.

Naidu, T. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(5), 559–561. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000812

Leventhal, D, H. (2020). Seven positive outcomes of Covid-19. The lighthouse. https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/april-2020/seven-positive-outcomes-of-covid-19

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Standing on the edge of becoming an OT – reflections on my journey thus far

“Occupational therapy. Hopeless into hope. Can’t into can. Impossible into possible.” Pena, V. (2020). This quote explains how important OT truly is, it changes peoples’ lives for the better even after a devastating illness or injury. OT brings impactful and meaningfulness to those to have hope and those who have lost all hope. It is that light in the darkness that makes one see life at a more positive lens.

My Journey in OT thus far has really been filled with self-discovery and growth in the profession and as an individual. Initially I had entered into this career with a “medical model mindset”, thinking I was the drive to the client’s recovery even though to some extent this is true, however I have grown to understand that just because an individual has an illness, injury or disorder that does not take away their ability to have a say in their lives. I have learnt to become a facilitator of change in the client’s recovery to independence rather than the primary driver. I am slowly moving from the idea of it just being about getting good marks and moving to having my mindset more inclined to aiming to make a difference and leave a positive testimony in my client’s lives.

Kate (2018).

Occupational therapy is a profession that is often misunderstood and at some point, I did not know how to explain it to others. But as mentioned by Royeen, L (2015), there is no simple definition that accurately depicts the positive impact and power an OT intervention has on an individual. We are in fact superheros that are solution orientated and one profession that truly understand the power of occupations.

I would be deceiving myself if I said the journey has been a breeze, but I constantly hold on to the fact that it is all part of the process and in the mist of the pressure we don’t withdraw but we push through. I belief that life is celebrated by the impact one has made in the lives of others and therefore when you care about people you live a life that goes beyond the “me” mentality. And this is something I intend on carrying as I move across the edge to becoming an OT.