Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Nicole Harris

Abstract

Queer youth and young adults are more likely to experience trauma and are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions and experiencing dissociation that negatively impacts occupational engagement (Keating & Muller, 2020; Tankersley et al., 2021). This disparity is attributed to environmental factors, such as discrimination (Keating & Muller, 2020). The goal of this project is to advocate for queer youth and young adults through educational resources. The resources were designed for an audience of healthcare professionals who work with queer youth in mental health settings in order to have a broader impact on the target population. The product consists of a booklet and a presentation. The booklet educates the audience on theory, the neuroscience of dissociation, self-care for healthcare professionals, activities to address dissociation, and recommends further reading. The complementary presentation educates healthcare professionals on the role of occupational therapy, settings where a professional who works with youth in a mental health setting may collaborate with an occupational therapist, sensory systems, and sensory processing. Through this product, this project advocated for queer youth and young adults, and the role of occupational therapy in mental health.

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