MOT Spring 2023

• Eight week program/structured model for treating anxiety disorders in primary care

• Uses computer-guided programs

• Educates clients using videos, opportunities to practice skills, homework exercises

Purpose of Series:

The purpose of the overall group is to educate Occupational Therapy students on strategies and practices to consider when treating their future clients at risk of suicide. Our theme is suicide prevention and mental health promotion. We are targeting the OT outcomes of role competence, occupational justice, and essentially prevention, which focuses on education or health promotion efforts to reduce suicide. Suicide remains a serious public health issue worldwide, with over 700,000 people dying by suicide each year (World Health Organization, 2021). Research has shown that nearly half of those who died by suicide visited a healthcare provider (primary care or specialty care for another condition) within a month of their death, while only a quarter visited a mental health provider (Silva et al., 2016). Suicides are preventable, and healthcare professionals have more extensive contact with those at risk for suicide than mental health-specific providers. Therefore, suicide prevention is necessary for health professionals such as OTs to prevent suicide and recognize the signs of suicidality at the individual and community levels.