Which activity is beneficial for enhancing IADL skills in clients with severe mental illness?

Engaging in cooking classes that focus on meal preparation is particularly beneficial for enhancing Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) skills in clients with severe mental illness. Cooking involves a range of functional skills, including planning meals, following recipes, managing time, and maintaining safety in the kitchen. Each of these components is critical for developing independence in daily living.

Additionally, cooking classes can foster social interaction, which is essential for clients who may struggle with social skills due to their condition. This setting allows clients to practice communication and cooperation in a supportive environment. The structured nature of cooking classes also helps in boosting self-esteem and confidence as individuals successfully prepare meals, leading to a sense of accomplishment and autonomy.

While art therapy can facilitate self-expression and physical exercises are beneficial for overall health, they do not specifically address the practical skills associated with IADLs as directly as cooking does. Similarly, group discussions on coping strategies may help with mental health management, but they lack the hands-on experience and skill-building aspects inherent in cooking classes.