Easter Activities in a Psychiatric Clinic

Working with chronic patients with mental illness is not easy. Especially for those who are long- term residents in psychiatric clinics, there is a great deal of importance in special periods and events, because they provide them with a sense of time continuity. Thus, in the sphere of occupational therapy techniques, patients of a clinic were asked to create decorations for Easter, a time of religious and cultural importance for Greeks. In this manner the patients were allowed to engage in a different activity and they were provided with the opportunity to create a bazaar, selling their creations and earning extra money for the group activities. The procedure is simple yet it allows exercise of fine motor skills and expression.

Materials:

• candles (1$)
• threads and ribbons (.50$) 
• wooden decorative items (.50$/ 1$)
• glue (2$)

Process:

• enfold thread around the candle and glue the edges
• add the wooden decorations and glue them
• wrap a ribbon around the glued part and create a bow

 Great idea for an easy activity with a pretty result, no matter the level of functionality of the patient, or the level of skill of the therapist. The patients will gain motivation as they see their work being appreciated.

Enjoy!

Literature: J. Creek, L. Lougher, 2008. Occupational Therapy and Mental Health, Athens, BHTA Medical Publications MEPE; N. Tsergas, 2014. Therapeutic Approaches through Art, Athens, Topos. 

Note: Activities analyzed along with the photographs are taken within the group therapies of a psychiatric clinic in Athens, Greece.