2063V - Interprofessional Approach to Improving Access to Rehab Services for Those With Mental Health Comorbidities

Bias and stigma towards individuals with mental health diagnoses can affect access to SLP services. Research has demonstrated that persons with mental illness experience stigma across the healthcare continuum. Mental health and substance use disorders are complex brain diseases. Resultant behaviors are not a problem of character or will power, but may affect therapy engagement and success. Increasing knowledge and awareness can expand our empathy towards our clients, reduce our fear and anxiety, and positively enhance successful SLP-client interactions. An interprofessional team will share an approach to equip clinicians to understand differences between bias, stigma and stereotypes, review mental health disorders, provide strategies to promote therapeutic rapport and motivation and address challenging behaviors as part of patient centered intervention.