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Since its beginnings, occupational therapy has promoted mental health through engagement in meaningful occupations. As service delivery and payment models have evolved, the profession has seen fewer opportunities to provide services to those with behavioral health challenges. AOTA is working to increase access to occupational therapy services for people with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and other behavioral health needs.
As federal, state, and local governments develop innovative ways to meet society's behavioral health needs, there are increasing opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners to be a part of these programs. Occupational therapy practitioners have a transformative role to play in helping people with behavioral health challenges engage in meaningful occupations.
However, there is much work to be done to ensure the inclusion of occupational therapy services at all of these levels:
Working together we have opened opportunities for occupational therapy in behavioral health, but there is still much more work to be done!
The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (S.1578/H.R.3150) aims to increase the number of mental health professionals working in underserved areas by providing loan forgiveness to mental health professionals who practice in areas designated shortage areas. This legislation, introduced by Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Reps. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and John Katko (R-NY), includes occupational therapists in the list of behavioral health professionals eligible to receive this loan forgiveness.
Join us. Write to your legislators and ask them to cosponsor the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act Today!
The HEALS Act would reauthorize several programs intended on strengthening the health care workforce, including the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET).
The 21st Century Cures Act include major victories for occupational therapy related to behavioral health and rehabilitation research.
Find resources to help promote the distinct value of occupational therapy services in community mental and behavioral health.
This chart aims to address whether or not occupational therapy is listed under a state’s statue or regulations defining a qualified mental health professional (QMHP). In some cases, the state uses a term other than QMHP, such as, mental health professional, or mental health practitioner, or do not have any definition.
Actions by Congress and federal agencies have recognized the importance of occupational therapy as part of recovery oriented, quality community mental health services.
This PowerPoint presentation can be used to help build your case for the role of occupational therapy in behavioral health programs.
Behavioral health programs need to demonstrate that they are achieving positive outcomes for program participants. Show how you can contribute to these measures.
Position paper highlighting how occupational therapy’s distinct value is to improve health and quality of life through facilitating participation and engagement in occupations, the meaningful, necessary, and familiar activities of everyday life.
AOTA Official Document outlining the role of occupational therapy practitioners in the promotion of mental health and in the prevention of and intervention for mental health disorders.
Poster presentation highlighting key victories and goals in promoting occupational therapy's role in mental health at the federal level.