Impact of Training on Addressing Farmer Mental Health in Occupational Therapy Practice

Abstract

Farmers experience high rates of mental health conditions and suicide. It is within occupational therapy’s scope to address mental health conditions in patients as it pertains to their participation in meaningful occupations. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of training provided to occupational therapy practitioners and students on addressing farmer mental health. Participants were directly recruited from occupational therapy state associations and graduate programs in the American Midwest to attend a 1-hour presentation and complete pre- and post-training surveys. A total of 119 participants completed the pre- and post-training surveys. Both occupational therapy practitioners and students significantly increased their confidence in assessing and addressing mental health concerns and providing resources to farmers following the training. Occupational therapy–specific training can increase therapists’ confidence in addressing farmer mental health. Further research should assess multi-faceted interventions related to farmers’ mental health in occupational therapy practice.

Plain Language Summary

Impact of Training on Addressing Farmer Mental Health in Occupational Therapy Practice

Farmers in the United States experience higher rates of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, as well as higher rates of suicide than other workforces and the general population. It is within occupational therapy’s scope of practice to assess and address mental health conditions in patients as it pertains to their participation in meaningful and purposeful occupations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 1-hour training provided to occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy graduate students on addressing farmer mental health within their practice. Training participants were asked to take pre- and post-training surveys to rate their confidence in assessing and addressing mental health conditions in farmers, as well as their confidence in providing appropriate community resources to farmers with mental health concerns. Results show that both occupational therapy practitioners and graduate students significantly increased their confidence in all three areas following the 1-hour mental health training. Further research should strive to create multi-faceted interventions specific to clinical settings and geographic areas to increase student and practitioner knowledge and self-efficacy in addressing farmer mental health in occupational therapy practice.