October 25, 2024#WeAreNorthern
As we conclude Occupational Therapy Week, we speak to Tanya Goodison, Program Manager – Hume and Merri-bek Community Teams, from the Mental Health Division at Northern Health.
Q: What is your coffee order?
A: I have never been a coffee drinker, but I do love a hot chocolate.
Q: What is the role of an Occupational Therapist (OT) in mental health?
A: Occupational Therapists (OTs) in mental health work in a variety of inpatient, rehab and community settings supporting consumers to engage in meaningful activity and promote participation in everyday life activities. We have many areas of focus including ADL Assessment, sensory modulation, group work, driving education and assessment. In relation to sensory modulation, our OTs have introduced sensory resources including glider chairs, weighted items, fidget tools, sensory gardens and visual tools which assist consumers in our community and inpatient settings.
Many of our OTs work in case management roles, meaning they will be providing specialist mental health assessment and intervention and care and co-ordination with an occupational lens, alongside their discipline specific expertise in the work they do with consumers.
We also have OTs in leadership roles such as team leaders, management roles (which is what I do), mental health tribunal co-ordinator, clinical educators and our OT professional leads.
Q: Why is your role important? What satisfaction does it give you?
A: I oversee the community mental health teams in Northwest Area Mental Health Service to support consumers in the Hume and Merri-bek areas to access specialist mental health support. I really enjoy working with a team of wonderful and dedicated staff from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds and continuing to learn from others. In my role, I’m able to support the implementation of many great initiatives not only from our OTs, but also programs led by other disciplines such as our therapy stream, family work, exercise physiology, lived experience, dietetics, physical health and many more, which makes this role really meaningful. Knowing that our team is making a difference in the lives of consumers accessing our service is definitely the most satisfying part of this role.
Q: What are some of the challenges?
A: Each day in community, mental health can bring unexpected challenges and situations. Supporting consumers in achieving their goals is a great part of this work but we also work with a number of consumers who have not chosen to receive mental health care and balancing their voice and our obligations under the mental health act requires constant review and consideration. Occupational Violence and Aggression is always on our radar in our settings.
Q: What are the best things about working at Northern Health?
A: Working with such amazing and supportive colleagues across our teams and the wider service.
Q: What is something not many people know about you?
A: I love to read and won’t go a single day without spending at least some time reading a novel!
