Community violence resources for occupational therapy practitioners
In recent weeks, multiple mass shooting events across the nation have resulted in an unimaginable loss of life, and these tragic events continue to impact countless family and community members.
On March 30, 2022, the AOTA Representative Assembly approved the AOTA Societal Statement on Community Violence and the AOTA Societal Statement on Gun Violence, building on the prior work by the occupational therapy profession. As a profession focused on positive participation in society, occupational therapy practitioners work with individuals and communities to prevent and respond to violence, create collaborations, and advocate for social change.
“Occupational therapy practitioners support prevention strategies and treatment interventions at the individual, community, and population level,” state the authors of the AOTA Societal Statement on Gun Violence. The AOTA Societal Statement on Community Violence states that occupational therapy practitioners “can improve individual or group interpersonal skills by developing awareness of how the client or group interacts with others and practicing learned skills to decrease community violence."
AOTA is committed to empowering occupational therapy practitioners with the knowledge and skills to support clients and caregivers who may be affected by violence. Resources for practitioners include: