Mental Health Providers’ Attitudes Toward Mental Illness and Intervention

Abstract

This study examined the attitudes held by mental health professionals toward mental illness and intervention. The study’s hypothesis was that there will be clear differences in attitudes toward mental illness and intervention depending on the demographics of the mental health provider. Psychologists will show low willingness to treat more severe mental health diagnoses, those with an Associate and Bachelor’s degree will be less willing to a treat client with a severe diagnosis than those with a Masters or PhD, and Psychologists will report using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy more than other providers. All participants were given a survey to fill out in which they selected their willingness to treat mental health diagnoses as well as rated their attitudes toward treatment. A snowball sample was used to collect data from 26 mental health providers. Since inferential analyses were not possible, only descriptive data were reported.