It can be difficult for a mental health provider to find the time between caseloads and documentation to research appropriate educational resources for adults with serious mental illness (SMI). As a case manager for an intensive outpatient program (IOP), I juggled progress notes, client crises, and keeping up with daily visits and sessions.
During my first MSW internship, however, I had the time and freedom to create my own group curriculum for adult clients with SMI and co-occurring disorders. The curriculum was approved by my ACSW and LCSW supervisors; I then utilized the curriculum with client groups for skill-building and education.
Part of that curriculum was entertaining, educational videos on the importance of managing personal hygiene, activities of daily living (ADLs), and self-care for someone struggling with a mental illness. I've put together a brief list of informational Youtube videos for use with client groups, skill-building education, and other client mental health needs.
The Best Youtube Videos for Education on Hygiene, ADLs, and Self-Care for Adults with SMI and other Disabilities
#1: The Link Between Hygiene and Mental Health
Created by Psych Hub, this video is just over four minutes and accurately depicts how mental health can influence, and be influenced, by personal hygiene and ADLs. It follows the story of the cartoon character Jacob and his struggle with managing his hygiene and ADLs.
The video also provides helpful tips and tools for maintaining your personal hygiene and ADLs when struggling with a mental illness and daily functioning.
#2: 10 Tips for Showering When You're Struggling with Your Mental Health
Encouraging clients to shower more frequently when struggling with mental illness can be hard. Let's be honest, it's hard for me to motivate myself to shower regularly when I'm struggling with a depression episode.
Created by the account called Living Well with Schizophrenia, this next video provides helpful showing tips as well as showering alternatives for in-between showers. The tips and techniques provided are helpful reminders that maintaining personal hygiene does not have to be complicated or difficult.
#3: Oral Health in People with Severe Mental Ill Health
This video provides a helpful introduction to the importance of maintaining oral health, the barriers to quality and accessible oral health care for individuals with SMI, and future endeavors researchers are trying to take to improve oral health care for all.
The video is just under four minutes long and has entertaining cartoon animations and illustrations that help to keep viewers engaged. This oral health Youtube video was created by the Closing the Gap Network.
Hygiene Assessment for Adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
If you are a mental health provider working to improve the self-care and hygiene of your clients with SMI, then don't forget the new Hygiene Assessment for Adults with SMI. I created this assessment for use with adults with SMI at my foundation MSW internship and had it approved for use by ACSW and LCSW supervisors.
About Rose-Minded
Rose-Minded is dedicated to increasing awareness, education, and social justice while reducing stigma for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). We aim to provide evidence-based resources for mental health providers and the clients they serve. We hope to use our platform to discuss creative solutions to behavioral and societal issues while working to develop more inclusivity in the mental health community.
About the Writer
Created by Kay Uimari, creator of Rose-Minded, B.S. in Psychology, MSW Therapist Student Intern, Recovery Specialist and Case Manager in IOP for serious mental illness (SMI), Mental Health and Social Justice Advocate, and specializing in crisis intervention, management, and safety planning. Kay facilitates mental health groups and classes for adults with SMI and can be found on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. For more about Kay, visit Rose-Minded's About page to continue reading. This page may contain affiliate links and/or ads; for more information about how we protect your privacy, please read our disclaimer.