ERIC Number: EJ1456594
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2573-1378
Effects of Mental Health First Aid Course: Knowledge, Confidence, and Stigma among Occupational Therapy Students
Jennifer L. Ostrowski; Sarah Sampson; Erin McGoldrick; Courtney Karabin; Kyra Shields
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, v7 n2 Article 5 2023
In the United States, one in five adults are impacted by some form of mental illness in any given year, but only about 40% of individuals seek professional mental health support. While occupational therapists (OT) may work with individuals with mental illness to improve social skills, activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and neurocognitive interventions, research suggests there is not enough emphasis on this content in professional OT education. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is designed to educate individuals on mental illness, including how to recognize signs and symptoms and how to support individuals experiencing a concern or crisis. This study examined changes in stigma, knowledge, and confidence among OT students following MHFA training, and compared to a control group. Results demonstrated improved knowledge and confidence within the experimental group, highlighting the impact of MHFA training in this population.
Descriptors: Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Occupations Education, Mental Health Programs, Health Services, Knowledge Level, Self Esteem, Social Bias, Student Attitudes, Mental Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Attitude Change, Graduate Students, Masters Programs, Student Participation
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Bogardus Social Distance Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A