Connecting Minds and Bodies: Advancing Mental Health Support Through Occupational Therapy in Acute Care Environments

Authors

• Sarah Morrison, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow

Date Completed

Spring 2026

Abstract

Unaddressed mental health and psychosocial needs of patients have been shown in literature to have a negative functional impact on physical recovery. It is well within the occupational therapy scope of practice to address mental health and psychosocial needs of patients; however, often in the inpatient settings, systemic barriers -such as time, resources, productivity demands, education, and competing clinical demands- prevent practitioners from doing so. In the medical model of physical rehabilitation, mental health may not be a priority, leaving it to be unaddressed. Potentially resulting in a negative impact on patient outcomes and overall quality of life. As the profession is deeply rooted in mental health, it falls within the occupational therapy (OT) scope of practice to address these needs of the patients; however, there is limited research surrounding OT’s confidence and competence feelings addressing patient needs in inpatient physical rehabilitation settings within the domain of mental health. The research study aims to answer the research question “Do occupational therapists in the inpatient settings feel confident and competent in their ability to address the mental health and emotional needs of their patients?” The research result was used to further inform the need for program development in this area. The program was created with the intention of equipping occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, NH with inpatient-appropriate resources to address mental health in physically ill and injured patients.

Document Type

Capstone

First Advisor

Gabrielle Petruccelli

Second Advisor

John Wilcox

College or School

CHHS

Department or Program

Department of Occupational Therapy

Recommended Citation

Morrison, Sarah, "Connecting Minds and Bodies: Advancing Mental Health Support Through Occupational Therapy in Acute Care Environments" (2026). OTD Capstones. 6.
https://scholars.unh.edu/otd_capstones/6