We are three Occupational Therapy (OT) students who attend the Masters of Occupational Therapy program at Wesley College in Delaware. We are interested in extending research to identify the need for our profession to work within the mental health setting. Just recently we were accepted to present the topic of “An Occupational Therapy Inter-Professional Approach in a Mental Health Assertive Community Treatment Team” at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ annual conference this spring in Cape Town, South Africa.

OT plays a crucial role in the treatment and recovery of mental illness, as we work collaboratively with other people in a manner that helps to foster hope, motivation, and empowerment, as well as system change (AOTA). OT is identified as an emerging practice area for mental health treatment due to high incidence in the state of Delaware. The need for OT in mental health treatment in Delaware is crucial. As of 2016, there are approximately 24,255 individuals with severe mental illness in our state. ("treatmentadvocacycenter.org").  

According to former Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.:

“We know more today about how to treat mental illness effectively and appropriately than we know with certainty about how to prevent mental illness and promote mental health. Common sense and respect for our fellow humans tells us that a focus on the positive aspects of mental health demands our immediate attention…Promoting mental health for all Americans will require scientific know-how but, even more importantly, a societal resolve that we will make the needed investment. The investment does not call for massive budgets; rather, it calls for the willingness of each of us to educate ourselves and others about mental health and mental illness, and thus to confront the attitudes, fear, and misunderstanding that remain as barriers before us." 

We are asking for assistance to fund our research for OT, attend the WFOT conference in South Africa (including attendance, flights, housing, transportation), and support the continued need for Occupational Therapists to establish a role in mental health treatment. ANY little bit helps and thank you!!!!

Spread the word!

-Erica Horton, Lauren Bukowski, Jessica Hayes


Our Role:
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/MH/Facts/Mental%20Health%20Recovery.pdf

Statistics:
http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/evidence-and-research/fast-facts