Key principles to support occupational engagement in mental health inpatient units

Leisure activity is known to be health promoting and health creating. In mental health inpatient settings, leisure is a common activity that consumers can participate in regardless of their acuity. Leisure can be a powerful therapeutic modality harnessed by the entire multidisciplinary team.

The Levick's Leisure Practice Principles were developed based on the findings of Levick et al., (2022) and piloted with inpatient health staff. This included of seven nurses, one occupational therapist, two psychologists, and two psychiatrists (registrar and consultant).

Key evidence informed principles were developed to support occupational engagement in mental health inpatient units in Australia. Ten principles were created to support organisations to improve the quality of their inpatient settings by improving occupational opportunity.

Currently no leisure principles exist for consumers to participate in mental health settings. The principles incorporate public health theory of salutogenesis and occupational therapy theory to generate evidence informed practice to promote recovery.