Mental Illness: Level II Fieldwork Exposure and OT Students’ Attitudes

Abstract

Date Presented 04/12/21 Stigma is a barrier to health care access for people with mental illness; OTs work with these individuals in all treatment settings. This study explored how a Level II fieldwork setting affects students' attitudes toward mental illness. Mental health settings were related to positive attitudes; pediatric settings were related to stigmatizing attitudes. Integrating mental health into the broader OT curriculum or classroom and clinic, in any fieldwork setting, may positively affect students' attitudes. Primary Author and Speaker: Christine A. Linkie Contributing Authors: Abigail Herman, Mairead Gormley, Erica Di Meo, Jessica Leonard