The stigma of receiving mental health treatment impacts the military and veteran community in a unique way. For this reason, service members may not obtain or fully engage in mental health treatment, potentially leading to an increased risk of suicide during or after their time in service. This presentation will present an example of how recreational therapy addresses mental health stigma and associated outcomes though a four-week partial hospitalization program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). It will also provide an example of a practice-based research study conducted by a recreational therapist at WRNMMC. The process and results of the study will be shared to assist attendees with conceptualizing how research can be conducted as part of recreational therapy practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define practice-based research in recreational therapy 2. Identify 2 results from the research study relating to military service members, mental health stigma, and how recreational therapy can address mental health stigma 3. Identify 2 challenges and 2 supports experienced by the CTRS who conducted the research