Responsive Changes in Mental Health Practice in Wisconsin

SUMMARY

Delivery of mental health care is changing dramatically at the state and county levels in Wisconsin. These new trends are affecting psychiatric institutions and rehabilitation personnel in reference to staffing patterns, the roles of occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants, patient population and level of acute care and the type and site of intervention. Therapists are moving to more community-based and innovative programming and are leading state and local advocacy initiatives.

Many occupational therapists in Wisconsin have become pioneers pursuing nontraditional occupational therapy roles in response to changes in philosophy, funding, population demographics and evolving needs.