Multi-Stakeholder Voices: A Qualitative Study on Occupational Therapy in Acute Mental Health Care

Occupational therapy is integral to acute mental health care, yet its role remains poorly understood within multidisciplinary teams. This study explored stakeholder perspectives on the role of occupational therapy in acute mental health care in South Africa. An exploratory qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews with 19 stakeholders working in the field of acute mental health was used. Data was thematically analyzed. Four themes emerged: functional assessment and rehabilitation; therapeutic use of occupation; psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery support; and system-level roles, collaboration, and service gaps. While occupational therapy is valued, role ambiguity and systemic constraints continue to limit its impact.