For more than a year, the Department of Occupational Therapy in the College of Health Professions at the UT Health Science Center has partnered with the Memphis Mental Health Institute (MMHI) to plant sensory gardens and conduct student-led life groups for patients at the institute.
The partnership gives occupational therapy students an opportunity to engage in the community and provide support to patients at the institute under faculty supervision. They have led hands-on sensory activities and have grown edible plants in outdoor and indoor gardens including radishes, Swiss chard, and nasturtium.
“The staff and the patients there are great. A lot of them are very excited to work with us. It’s been a nice way to collaborate with different professionals in the health field and to work with potential clients, because mental health is something that will come about in whichever setting you decide to work,” said Modina Reid, one of many occupational therapy students that have participated in serving at the institute. “It’s important to know how to engage and work with different types of patients. I’ve been really appreciative of the opportunity, and I have enjoyed every moment that I’ve spent at MMHI.”
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