Level and Experience of Occupational Role among the People with Mental Illness after Receiving Occupational Therapy Services from the Selected Mental Health Day Centre in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Mental health is a significant factor for a sound and productive life. Long-term mental ill health can lead to a mental illness which often has a significant impact on the individual’s life circumstances and consequently on the individual’s quality of life. Most of the people with mental illness have difficulty participating in occupational roles due to a lack of proper support. In Bangladesh's health sector, mental health service is not available as physical health service. The other countries have studies on community participation in people with mental illness. There are few studies on the occupational role performance of people with mental illness in the community in other countries. In Bangladesh, there is no study on the occupational role performance of people with mental illness in the community. So, this study will help to find out the scenario of occupational role participation among the people with mental illness in the community. Aim: This research aim is to find out the level of occupational role and experience after receiving occupational therapy treatment from mental health day centre among the people with mental illness in the community. Methods and Materials: The study followed mixed-method approach; a cross-sectional approach and a narrative approach. Quantitative data were collected through telephone survey among 199 participants through RCV3 checklist. SPSS 26 version was used to conduct the descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were collected through face to face interview among 12 participants through semi-structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis used for analysing the qualitative data. Results: From 14 types of mental illness diagnosis the highest diagnosis is Schizophrenia which is 56 (28.14%) of total. On the other hand, the somatic symptom is the lowest 2 (1.51%). In current roles of participants the religious participant is 19.6% and worker is 2.51. This study found the most significant result where 77.39% of participant's satisfaction level is almost perfect. On the other hand, only 36.18% of the participants perform levels almost perfect. The 12 participants shared that they were benefited to participate their occupational role after receiving occupational therapy from the mental health day centre. The findings explored in depth information with four themes: i) The Ongoing Journey of Recovery, ii) Coping Strategies with Role, iii) Social Response, vi) Maintaining Daily Routine Activities. Conclusions: The present study concludes that the understanding of the level of performance and satisfaction to participate in occupational roles people with mental illness and their experiences to participate in occupational roles. Through mental health day centre occupational therapy practitioners promote full inclusion and engagement in meaningful daily activities despite resource limitations, necessitating the consideration of cost-effective community-based rehabilitation and integration. Key Words: Mental Health, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Role, Mental Health Day Centre.