Therapeutic Rec for people with mental illnesses



Therapeutic Rec for people with mental illnesses

Introduction

Therapeutic Rec. is a part of health care system, today. By means of exercising this therapy it is aimed to re-establish, restore or re-generate the performance and self determination in a patient as well as reduce or eradicate the effect of illness or disability. It is also known as recreational therapy. It is important to understand this profession and acknowledge the role of recreational therapist, the training and education of the therapist, the scope and growth of the profession.

Recreational Therapy

History

This therapy of recreation emerged in 1850s to improve the recovery of patients in military hospital and it was promoted by Florence Nightingale. Jane Adam in late 1800s, the founder of Hull-House settlement in Chicago and a social worker, worked on the well being of people with special needs, such of addiction, homeless, poverty-stricken or immigrants, by extensive use of recreation therapy to improve the health and welfare of person. The American Red Cross, during World War I provided the wounded soldiers with recreational therapy during the recovery phase, that gained the profession acknowledgement and during World War II, Red Cross college educated women were trained and hired to work in hospital recreation.

Discussion

Therapeutic Rec. for people with mental illnesses

Many studies showed problem of patient non-recovery in acute psychiatric wards. It came as a serious concern for health department. In 2002, the Department of health forwarded the concern regarding in ability of patient recovery due to lack of activity in patient. To improve the recovery of patient, the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health suggested that wards must provide activities and changes in social environment and recreational activities that has positive impact in patient recovery.

In supporting the recreation therapy various mental health journals have been published highlighting positive impact of these activities in mental wellbeing of the patients, during the last decade (Williams et al 1997, Bona 2000, Perrin 2000, Holder 2001, Haley and McKay 2004, Barnhouse and Spencer 2004, Merom et al 2008).

Artistic activities were commonly identified to have positive outcome were spare time pursuits, cooking and exercising. However the more specific activities in creating mental health were providing a occupation, diversion of mind from being not well, re-defining and character build up and promoting growth of social network.

Art has been used as a therapy for mental illness and it has been proved to be a resourceful tool in 1960s, according to 1991 Kaplan and Dickerson. Using of art in therapeutic recreation has shown a positive impact over the year and has been evidently published in many research works (Lloyd and Papas, 1999). Thiele and Marsden (2003, p120) explained such activities of art have been providing a newer image of patient in society with reference to approach in dealing with people and life. Furthermore, Smitskamp (1995) published in his report the importance of creativity in daily life which helps in better representation. The therapists using recreational techniques have to form an attachment and a relation of ...