Building Capacity of Occupational Therapy Students to Address the Mental Health Needs of Children and Youth during a Level II Fieldwork in a School Setting. Issue 4 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bazyk, Susan; Pataki, Kristen; DeBoth, Kelle
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational therapy, schools, & early intervention. Volume 13:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Schools -- mental health -- occupational therapy education -- children and youth; Occupational therapy for children -- United States -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy for children -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Education -- United States -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Education -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 615.85150830973
• DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2020.1776186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1941-1243

Abstract

ABSTRACT: To explore the meaning and outcomes of a virtual building capacity process designed to promote knowledge translation of a public health approach to mental health with children and youth by occupational therapy students completing a Level II Fieldwork experience in school settings. A one-group ( n = 19) mixed design using quantitative (pretest-posttest survey) and qualitative methods (phenomenological analysis of written reflections) was used to explore the meaning and outcomes of participation in the virtual building capacity process . Statistically significant improvements ( p <.00) in pretest-posttest scores of knowledge, beliefs and actions related to addressing mental health were found in 7 of the 9 categories. Four qualitative themes emerged from the data: New thinking regarding 'mental health'; Gearing up for change; Planning led to implementation; and the Building capacity process was meaningful and enjoyable. The building capacity process expanded student knowledge of a public health approach to mental health resulting in increased awareness and application of embedded strategies to address the mental health needs of students during a Level II Fieldwork experience in school settings.