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Mental Health

The World Health Organization has identified mental illness as a growing cause of disability worldwide and predicts that in the future, mental illness—specifically depression—will be the the top cause of disability.

In response to this trend, as part of AOTA's Centennial Vision, we have identified mental health as a vital practice area for 21st century practice. Increasing emphasis will be placed on mental health treatment and prevention services for children, youth, the aging, and those with severe and persistent mental illness.

We hope the resources below will help you in your practice. If you have additional questions, try posting them on OTConnections, a community for occupational therapy practitioners just like you. If you are an AOTA member, you are already signed up with OTConnections! Just use your member login and password for the AOTA Web site to access OTConnections.

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Fact Sheets on the Role of OT Designed for OT practitioners and other professionals to explain the role and scope of occupational therapy.	Evidence-Based Practice and Research Find evidence-based practice info and the latest research to guide your practice.
Tips for Living For clients and patients. Brief Tip Sheets to help people cope with a variety of health conditions and explain how occupational therapy can help.	Special Interest Sections Network and collaborate with colleagues in your field and areas of interest, from SIS Quarterly newsletters to forums on OTConnections (e.g., Administration & Management, Developmental Disabilities, Gerontology, Mental Health, Technology).
AOTA Official Documents Informative documents on the role and scope of occupational therapy services.	Other Resources Mental Health apps, Caregiver Toolkit, and additional resourses.