Strengthening occupational therapy practice with communities after traumatic events

Abstract

Occupational therapists have immense potential to strengthen their role in supporting communities to recover from collective trauma. After traumatic events, a community-centred practice approach can be used by occupational therapists to improve health, safety, security and wellbeing at a population level. Three strategies to strengthen the role of occupational therapy in this critical area of practice are proposed: (a) work collaboratively with communities to design programmes centred on community strengths and needs; (b) select and use therapeutic occupations to support community recovery; and (c) develop strong networks to enhance community partnerships and sustainability of services.