Manx Care completes second Occupation Matters programme

Manx Care’s occupational therapy team has run its Occupation Matters programme for a second time, the health provider said.

The course asks participants to set personal goals around their occupations and to work out what is standing in their way. Sessions cover meaningful occupation, community engagement, daily routines, mental and physical activity, and healthy eating.

A Manx Care spokesperson told Isle of Man Today that participants build skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, communication and managing their own condition. According to Manx Care, feedback from those taking part showed the programme had improved their mental health, confidence and wellbeing and had helped to ease symptoms of depression and social anxiety.

One participant said the programme had made them “more confident”. Another said it had “changed my life”.

Occupational therapist Cassie Haywood said the team was “extremely pleased” with the results now that the programme had run twice. She said mental health challenges can affect many people on the island.

Manx Care said people aged over 18 with moderate to moderately severe common mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and trauma, can self-refer through the Community Wellbeing Service webpage.