Exploring mental health through the eyes of physiotherapy students: Revealing knowledge and attitudes towards mental health roles

Abstract

The social stigma associated with mental illness leads to a reluctance to seek help and can negatively impact the therapeutic connections between individuals with mental illness and healthcare practitioners. With the rising prevalence of mental health illness, physiotherapy students will encounter a growing number of these patients during their undergraduate education. A cross-sectional online survey was done on undergraduate physiotherapy students using the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule and Mental Illness Clinicians' Attitudes scores. All participants demonstrated moderate knowledge and a favorable attitude toward mental health. Final-year students had more awareness and a better attitude towards mental health than the other students. Physiotherapy undergraduates with clinical experience tend to see psychiatry and individuals with mental illness more positively.