Mental Health
We advocate to raise awareness of the important role of occupational therapists in providing mental health services. We call for increased visibility, funding and opportunities for mental health OTs.
Member Priorities
- Improved training to support the mental health OT workforce, and sustainable career pathways for OTs to support development and avoid burn-out.
- Building awareness of occupational therapist mental health capability across health services, funding bodies, and consumers.
- Promoting the value of mental health occupational therapy services, by engaging with government and sector stakeholders.
Our Advocacy
OTA advocates for our members working in the mental health space, and engages with Departments, Advisory Groups and other stakeholders, to ensure the role of OTs is recognized as essential in meeting the needs of people living with mental illness.
- Unmet Need for Psychosocial Support Outside the NDIS – The analysis of unmet need identified a significant gap in the services for people living with moderate and severe mental illness. OTA has met with Department representatives and advocates for the role of OTs in meeting this demand and ensuring people living with mental illness get the appropriate support and services they need.
- Foundational Supports -Occupational therapists are ideally placed to support expanded options across mainstream services as well as general and foundational supports and we’re working with governments to design and implement reforms.
How you can help
We welcome feedback about your experiences working in mental health, and your ideas about how these services can be improved.
We will take your feedback to the government and key stakeholders to advocate for better outcomes for OTs, and the people you support.
