On 10 October 2026, we’ll join with communities around the globe to recognise World Mental Health Day.

This year’s theme Together We Thrive highlights the importance of connection and the role it can play in supporting our mental health, particularly when life feels overwhelming.

October is also Mental Health Month providing an opportunity to learn, connect and reflect on how we can support better mental health in our communities.

Occupational therapists play an important role in mental health, supporting people to participate in meaningful activities, build resilience and stay connected to the people, roles and communities that matter to them. Across community services, hospitals and specialist settings, OTs bring a distinctive focus on participation, function and recovery.

Mental health OTs draw on occupational, psychiatric and psychological knowledge to understand a person’s presentation and support their participation in everyday life.

Their work can include clinical formulation, supporting diagnostic clarification, managing significant distress and safety risks, evidence-based mental health interventions and working therapeutically with families and care teams.

For OTs working in or interested in mental health, OTA offers a range of ways to connect with the profession, build knowledge and develop your practice.

OT Mental Health Forum 2026

Join us on 29 & 30 October at the National Convention Centre Canberra and be part of Australia’s only major occupational therapy forum dedicated exclusively to mental health practice.

Whether mental health is your area of expertise or a direction you’re exploring, the Forum is an opportunity to strengthen your practice, build your connections and explore the unique contribution of occupational therapy to mental health.

You’ll hear from clinicians, researchers and leaders, explore contemporary and emerging approaches to mental health practice and take away practical ideas you can apply in your work.

Explore the program and register here.

Programs and resources

• Mental Health Endorsement Program – recognising OTs with advanced expertise in the field.
• Mental Health Capability Framework – supports safe, evidence-informed practice.
• Mental Health Practice Essentials – a professional development opportunity designed to strengthen core practice.

Mental health advocacy

We advocate on behalf of our members for greater recognition of mental health occupational therapy and its contribution to better mental health outcomes. As a member of Mental Health Australia, we work alongside national partners to strengthen the voice of the profession and advance mental health care across Australia.

Mental health interest groups meetings

Our national Mental Health Interest Group connects OTA members across Australia for networking, education and shared learning. At the next meeting on 17 November, international speakers Rebecca Twinley and Chis Helfrich will discuss ‘Dark Occupations’.

Our national Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Interest Group focuses on the unique challenges facing families during preconception, pregnancy, early parenting, and the first three years of life. You can connect with colleagues at the next meeting on 4 November.

OTA members can join our national and state-based interest groups here and register for upcoming meetings in OTA Connect.

Connections magazine

The Spring issue of Connections is now available for OTA members. It explores what it takes to thrive as an OT in an evolving profession, with fresh thinking on practice, wellbeing, innovation and the issues shaping occupational therapy today.

It also includes a five-page feature on the evolution of mental health occupational therapy: then, now and what’s next, tracing how the role and contribution of mental health OTs have changed over time and highlighting new research and resources to support practice.