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Occupational Therapy changes the trajectory of recovery, moving us from symptom management to meaningful function. In a country like South Africa, where families and schools are under enormous pressure, functional gains matter deeply. Occupational Therapists translate diagnosis into daily life.

A recent reflection from my clinical work…

Over the past few months I’ve been reflecting on the role of Occupational Therapy in mental health, particularly in my work with children and families. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I prescribe medication daily and I value it,it can reduce anxiety, lift mood and improve attention. It stabilises the storm. But there are places medication simply cannot go. It cannot teach a child how to organise their school day, regulate a sensory system, rebuild confidence after depression, or help a family restore rhythm to daily life. Again and again I’m reminded that this is where Occupational Therapy changes the trajectory of recovery, moving us from symptom management to meaningful function.