Wellness Groups to Support Mental Health

Hello! My name is Peyton Robertson, and at the time this course was created, I am a 3rd year entry level occupational therapy student from Drake University in Des Moines, IA. I completed my capstone project and experience at Liberty Centre Services in Norfolk, NE working closely with the members of the Liberty Centre Clubhouse. The primary area of focus for my capstone project and experience was program and policy development, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term impact. I chose this focus because I am passionate about designing and implementing programs that are not only impactful, but also sustainable. Program and policy development plays a critical role in shaping the accessibility, inclusivity, and quality of mental health services, and I believe occupational therapists can be key contributors in this area. My overarching goal was to develop and implement a wellness group program specifically designed to improve overall quality of life for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. This goal was grounded in the belief that wellness is not a luxury, it is a fundamental component of recovery and well-being. I emphasized the significance of utilizing the Clubhouse Model throughout the process, which meant involving members in planning, decision-making, and facilitating parts of the groups. This project included the completion of 4 learning objectives, each with artifacts to show the work that had been done over my 14 week experience. Please consider this course if you are looking for further information on program development in a community mental health setting!