Amir is stressed.

 

My bartender job at Stu’s Pub ended at the outset of the pandemic, and they’ve decided to stay closed. My family and I are relative newcomers to Canada.  I thought bartending was great as it didn’t require formal education or good language skills: just hard work and an outgoing personality. Now I’m struggling with what comes next. We are receiving some government relief.  But I am stressed about how to support my family after that ends.  The job market is limited for someone like me. I don’t have many connections.  Money is a constant worry. The kids have been out of school and running around the apartment for months. I’m exhausted and at my breaking point.

Occupational therapists are essential to mental health. Amir needs an OT.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION are two conditions that can come from many sources, be triggered by a crisis, and have unfortunate outcomes. 34% of front-line workers in food and accommodation services identify as visible minorities, compared to 21% in other sectors. This sector has accounted for 45% of net employment losses since COVID-19 began, compounding both health and economic risks. Visible minority groups were more likely than Caucasians to report poor mental health (27.8% vs. 22.9%) and symptoms consistent with ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ generalized anxiety disorder (30.0% vs. 24.2%) ¹. For those without employer benefits, access to needed treatment is an additional barrier to a healthy workforce.

Fortunately, Stu, the Pub Owner, supported his employee by funding a few OT sessions for Amir. The occupational therapist helped Amir to:

  • Talk through and determine the activities that he needs and wants to do every day.  Activities that have a positive effect on his physical, emotional and spiritual self.  Daily walks, taking the children to the playground, listening to music or practicing mindfulness.

  • Work together to set an achievable short-term goal or two to develop a sense of progress and success.

  • Map out a routine, either reconnecting with what worked in the past or developing skills that help with his new routine. Include Amir’s family where needed, set up his physical environment, and set up a reminder system to support him in developing a new routine.

  • Identify the available resources and social networks in his life to support his transition.

  • Connect Amir with local employment training, resume writing assistance, and networking opportunities with groups that align with Amir’s interests.

  • Learn about sleep and strategies to support sleep management.

  • Learn about anxiety management. Develop and practice healthy coping strategies and skills such as grounding and breathing exercises, assertive communication, and participation in physical activities.

  • Highlight personal progress and celebrate milestones, all while working towards a long-term goal.

Because of occupational therapy, I am better able to cope.


The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) provides a searchable national directory of occupational therapists for all Canadians to find the occupational therapy services they need.

Occupational therapy. Making the everyday possible.