MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING IN THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COURSES OF THE SOUTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL

Abstract

This qualitative study, using the multiple case study method, aimed to describe the training in Mental Health in the Occupational Therapy Graduate Course of the southern region of Brazil. Data were collected through documentary analysis of the Pedagogical Projects and Teaching Plans of the Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Disciplines and semi-structured interviews performed with 19 Occupational Therapists between April and July 2013. Data analysis was carried out according to the reference of Robert K. Yin. The results showed that the teaching of Mental Health is carried out in various parts of the Psychosocial Care Network and that the curriculum proposed in each course analyzed links the training to the reality of Mental Health in the regional context. It was concluded that the teaching-learning process can promote generalist, critical and reflective training of Occupational Therapists, enabling them to perform their professional practice in Mental Health.

Keywords

• Occupational therapy
• Higher education
• Mental health