Samantha Forrester

Occupational Therapist
Samantha.forrester@dhuft.nhs.uk
THE FUTURE

The food and mood group has been evaluated through the
completion of this poster, and discussion with the
occupational therapy team and MDT on the acute inpatient
ward. Feedback from the group and colleagues has
suggested the development of a group pack i.e. a
budgeting session, a portion session, a mood education
session etc. The food and mood kit is also to be reviewed
with occupational therapy team. Discussions have also
focused on the benefit of plastic food tools to give
education in an interactive manner and whether some
form of assessment to ascertain patients level of skill set;
this will also help identify a need for 1:1 OT assessment.
A survey by the
Food & Mood Project found that
of 200
participants, 88% reported that
changing their
diet improved their mental
health significantly
(DAS, 2008).
THE SESSlONS

Session 1; five patients attended the group. The OT discussed the aims and rationalised the openness of the group. Attendants took turns in reading the fact cards
aloud and discussing them; OT used flip chart to make notes. The group discussion was centred around the physical affects food has on our body and our ability to
function. The group identified that they wanted more knowledge on how to eat for your mood it was agreed that this could be the theme for session 2.

Session 2; four patients attended the group, two who had attended session 1. The group started with a recap of session 1. New attendants were given a few minutes to
look through the fact cards. Discussion focused on the fact cards and ideas on how to eat specifically for your mood. Some patients chose to make notes during this
session.

Session 3; six patients attended the group, two who also attended session 1 and 2. The session started with a recap of previous sessions and an introduction into the
background of the group and potential aims. As per previous sessions attendants were given a few moments to look through the fact cards and previous flip charts.
Discussion focused on how to stay motivated to manage food and mood; this is when OT discussed with the group the idea of a food and mood kit OT suggested
gathering some tools for the group to review. OT also discussed other techniques with group i.e. planning and setting weekly SMART (specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic and time-based) targets.

Session 4; No patients were available to attend session 4. Instead OT compiled the skeleton for the food & Mood Kit and saw two patients whod requested, on a one
to one basis to give them the kit as was before discharge.

Session 5; four patients attended this session; one that had attended session 3. The session started with a recap on previous sessions and a few moments for
attendants to have a look through the fact cards and the food & mood kit. Discussion focused on occupational demands of managing food and mood, OT offered 1:1
sessions for people particularly concerned about food associated skills i.e. budgeting, planning.

Session 6; three patients attended this session; all of whom had not attended previous sessions. OT focused the discussion on a recap of previous sessions and ideas
of how the group could improve. The group were advised the group would be on hold until reviewed and after OT conference to allow tie for development. OT arranged
that OTA would follow session block with open cooking sessions. OT advised of availability for 1:1 sessions where required.

The OT offered to copy the notes made during the group sessions when requested, and 1:1 sessions were offered to focus on food & mood and/or activities of daily
living skills (ADLs).
REFERENCES

British Association of Occupational Therapy., 2011. Mental Health. Available from: http://www.cot.co.uk/ot-helps-you/mental-health [Accessed 16.02.14]
COT., 2013. Occupational Therapists provide cost effective solutions for mental health services. College of Occupational Therapists. Available from:
http://www.cot.co.uk/video/mental-health/occupational-therapists-provide-cost-effective-solutions-mental-health-services [Accessed 11.12.13]
DAS., 2008. Food and Mood. Depression Alliance Scotland. Available from: http://www.actionondepression.org/sites/default/files/food.pdf [Accessed 16.02.14]
Mental Health Foundation., 2013. Diet and Mental Health. Mental Health Foundation. Available from: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk./help-information/mental-health-a-z-/D/diet
[Accessed 11.12.13]
Mind., 2013. The Mind Guide to Food & Mood. Mind. Available from: http://www.mind.org.uk/media/7498/mind-guide-to-food-and-mood-2010.pdf [Accessed 11.12.13]