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For many members of the population, routine activities can serve as a constant source of struggle. What would you do if you couldn’t remember to buy groceries, navigate your own home, or were experiencing pain that made it difficult or impossible to earn a living? Answering these questions is the focus of occupational therapists.

Occupational therapists work at both the organizational and individual level to provide assistance in overcoming various obstacles in order to reach personal goals. Obstacles can be mental, physical, environmental or social.

Personal goals do not necessarily have to be directly related to an individual’s job. An occupational therapist can problem solve obstacles to daily activities and routines that others may take for granted, such as preparing a meal. Working directly with individuals, their families, and/or the organizations they are involved with, occupational therapists work to minimize the impact of mental and physical health concerns.

Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools and private practice. Their role is in no way limited to any one aspect or area of society. “It’s kind of everywhere, in every aspect of life,” says Genea Teskey, Executive Director at the Nova Scotia Society of Occupational Therapists (NSSOT).

Carmel O’Keefe, instructor at the Dalhousie School of Occupational Therapy, says that occupational therapists “contribute to society’s opportunity to be self-directed at the individual, family, community, and societal level.”  

Given the current nature of the economy, this can initially seem like an unaffordable luxury. However, occupational therapists often make use of the simplest fixes. “It’s an art and a science,” says O’Keefe.

Occupational Therapy Month

October is Occupational Therapy Month. The Dalhousie School of Occupational Therapy has been actively organizing and conducting events in recognition of the month, with the aim of spreading awareness and celebrating the accomplishments of occupational therapists.

The events kicked off on October 7^th with a flag raising in Halifax’s Grand Parade. Attended by OT students and practitioners, the launch was presided over by Mayor Mike Savage and included representatives from NSSOT and School of Occupational Therapy.  Other events include the Tiger Fun Run/Walk on Dal campus on October 18^th and a Lip Sync with occupational therapy students and the NSSOT on October 23^rd. Occupational Therapy month wraps up on October 25^th with the Dal Open House at the School of Occupational Therapy.

According to O’Keefe, occupational therapy month provides the “opportunity to celebrate the work that OT’s do and the opportunity to raise awareness in the public eye.”

A Cooperative Approach

This year, the Dalhousie School of Occupational therapy is working on organizing events for the commemorative month in conjunction with both the NSSOT, as well as the College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia (COTNS). The COTNS serves as the registrar to ensure registration for public safety, while the NSSOT acts at the provincial level to look out for the needs of occupational therapists.

This is the first year that Dalhousie has taken on occupational therapy month in partnership with other organizations. With a series of events planned throughout the month, this collaborative approach is bringing students, practitioners and supporters together to celebrate their profession and promote awareness.

"Like" the School of Occupational Therapy on Facebook to learn more about Occupational Therapy Month events.