by Louana Moni; Christopher Luccisano; Noémie Barbanera (Author)

Time can sometimes seem long for a patient in a psychiatric care unit. Caregivers faced with this daily life are inclined to suggest activities in order to create a bond and desire every day with patients who have chosen or not to be there. But they do not always have the time or the necessary imagination, and there are also few practical and easily usable tools. The aim of this book is to compensate for this lack, by proposing in the form of sheets ideas for activities intended for users of psychiatric care.

The authors have designed a range of specific possibilities for carrying out mental health activities. These activities can be considered as bridges that connect the inner and outer worlds of individuals and offer patients a space to rebuild their identity and rediscover their potential . They contribute to a comprehensive care of patients.

The first part provides a historical overview of psychiatry in France and the role of the caregiver, specifying the therapeutic and institutional framework of these activities . Parts 2 to 7 offer more than 60 activities, grouped according to the time required (less than 10 minutes, 10 to 30 minutes, more than 30 minutes) or according to the theme, and completed in the last part by a series of appendices detailing examples of activities (puzzles and riddles, coloring, origami, etc.). Each activity is presented with an objective and different keys concerning its realization.

The whole point of this project is to enable caregivers, whatever their qualifications, to set up activities targeted at an objective, a given time and an adapted population.

The annexes are also available online to allow them to be printed if necessary.

Louana Moni is a health executive at the Sainte-Marie hospital in Nice. Christopher Luccisano is a nurse at the Sainte-Marie hospital in Nice. He produced all the drawings in this book. Noémie Barbenera is a nursing assistant at the Sainte-Marie hospital in Nice.