Leisure is a powerful therapeutic modality that can build meaning and
purpose for consumers, particularly those who have mental health issues. When acutely
unwell, it can be challenging to engage in productive activities or understand
cognitive-based interventions; therefore, leisure is an opportunity to build graded
engagement. This chapter explores leisure as an evidence-based therapeutic modality in
occupational therapy.
A brief history of leisure and how this has been incorporated in leisure or recreation
settings is explored to provide context for Australia’s current mental health system. A
number of leisure theories are explored and applied to a mental health context,
including the flourishing model, salutogenesis, serious leisure, and resilience.
Furthermore, prominent leisure theory is then applied to occupational therapy theory to
provide an occupational therapy focussed lens to the broader scope of leisure that could
be utilised by multiple disciplines.
With the consideration of theory and occupational therapy, a number of informal and
formal assessment strategies are explored with a specific spotlight on participation,
satisfaction, and boredom in leisure. Utilisation of leisure as a therapeutic intervention
is explored based on mental health contexts such as inpatient, rehabilitation, and
community settings.
Finally, evidence-based recommendations are suggested to implement leisure in
therapeutic services, such as inpatient and community settings. Occupational therapists
can improve occupational engagement and performance by using occupation as an
opportunity to explore, assess, and build meaningful engagement.
Keywords: Activity, Assessment, Community, Diversional therapy, Inpatient, Intervention, Hope, Leisure, Meaningful occupation, Multidisciplinary team, Occupational enrichment, Recovery, Recreation therapy, Salutogenesis, Therapeutic recreation, Volition.
