Evidence suggests that there are a growling number of college age students, including those in graduate level programs, who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness. These mental health issues uniquely effect student’s ability to engage in the occupation of education. Graduate level education in particular, such as occupational therapy education, often requires increased demands on the student role. Academic institutions typically offer several services to address the needs of these students, but there remains a gap in regards to access and use of these services. Given the nature of the student faculty relationship, institutions should look to faculty to assist in filling this gap. Occupational therapy educators in particular have an existing knowledge base in mental health as the profession recognizes mental health as an existing area of practice including associated knowledge and skills into the occupational therapy curriculum. Therefore, a unique opportunity exists for the profession to expand its practice into a non-traditional setting improving the quality of life for college age students who experience mental health issues by training faculty on how to recognize and address those issues with their students. This can start with the implementation of education and training for occupational therapy program faculty.
