Introducing a New Paradigm in Occupational Therapy for Mental Health in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is making strides in supporting mental health needs by incorporating occupational therapy into rehabilitation care. Despite challenges like social stigma and limited resources, a shift toward a socio-humanistic approach is underway. Occupational therapy practitioners have set up a mental health day treatment service to help individuals transition from hospitals to the community, focusing on daily living skills and meaningful activities. Integrating mental health day treatment service with government psychiatric hospitals and improving rehabilitation and home care follow-up can significantly enhance support for people with mental health needs in low-resource settings.