On behalf of more than 140,000 occupational therapy practitioners and the American Occupational Therapy Association, we request that you recognize "occupational therapy" as a "mental and behavioral health profession" under the National Health Service Corp, HR 1037.
Occupational therapy practitioners have long recognized the need to improve the availability of timely, effective care within America’s mental health system. Occupational therapy emphasizes the provision of supports and services that enable a person to carry out their everyday activities, so that they can be productive, engaged, and safe in the environments in which they live, work, and play.
The time is right. Recognition of OTs under the NHSC will improve early detection and treatment of mental illness in our country.