Occupational Therapy Week, 20-27 October 2026, is an opportunity to celebrate the difference occupational therapists make every day, helping people participate in the activities, relationships and routines that matter most to them.

This year’s theme, Participation Matters, highlights the important role everyday activities play in supporting health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Occupational therapists help people overcome physical, cognitive, emotional, environmental and social barriers that can affect their ability to participate in the activities they want, need or are expected to do.

At Northern Health, our occupational therapists work across mental and physical health services, supporting people to build skills, regain confidence and work towards meaningful goals throughout their recovery.

Within Northern Health’s Mental Health Division, occupational therapists recognise that participation is fundamental to health and recovery. They work alongside consumers to reconnect with their lives, communities and daily activities, rebuild skills and confidence, and explore what gives their lives meaning and purpose.

Care is guided by what matters to each consumer. By understanding their experiences, priorities and the everyday activities or roles they find challenging, occupational therapists can develop practical strategies that support wellbeing, participation and recovery.

Group programs are an important part of occupational therapy in mental health. Recently, the Hume Community Mental Health Team introduced a six-week Pathways to Participation program, facilitated by early-career occupational therapists and a lived experience worker.

The group supported consumers to work towards an individual goal while exploring the factors that can influence their participation in meaningful activities.

Consumer feedback highlighted the positive experience of taking part, with comments including:

• “A very welcoming and enjoyable experience”
• “Can’t believe the sessions are being offered for free”

For facilitator and occupational therapist Joseph Pachioli, seeing the impact of the program has been particularly rewarding.

“I’m proud to be an OT when hearing a P2P participant has found and sustained participating in employment after completing the group.”

At its core, occupational therapy in mental health is about more than completing activities. It is about belonging, contributing and having the opportunity to live a meaningful life.

Within Northern Health’s Physical Health Division, occupational therapists recognise that recovery extends beyond a person’s physical health. Everyday activities such as preparing a meal, caring for a family member, returning to work, joining social activities or managing a daily routine can have a significant impact on confidence, identity and quality of life.

By understanding each person’s goals, living environment, support networks and priorities, occupational therapists provide individualised, person-centred care that supports meaningful participation at every stage of recovery.

Feedback from clients who have worked with our Community Occupational Therapy teams reflects the value of this personalised support:

• “Never been so happy with this result”
• “Such thorough, personalised and well-structured work you’re completing”
• “I am so thankful for the support you’re providing”

Across physical health settings, occupational therapists work collaboratively with consumers, families, carers and multidisciplinary teams to identify challenges, build on existing strengths and develop practical strategies that support participation.

Whether helping someone prepare for a safe discharge from hospital or regain confidence in their own home, occupational therapists take a person-centred approach, recognising that meaningful recovery looks different for everyone.

Senior GEM occupational therapist Eliza Beattie reflects on why participation is at the heart of occupational therapy.

“Participation Matters to me because it matters to everyone. It is about ensuring that every person has the opportunity to engage in the activities, roles and experiences that are meaningful to them. Participation should be driven by individual choice and priorities, supported by environments that are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs.”

“Participation is at the heart of everything we do, and personally, I value participation more than independence because it’s for everyone, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or level of support required. It is about creating opportunities, removing barriers and enabling people to be involved in what matters most to them.”

“I see this through the eyes of my patients as encouraging autonomy, making choices not based on risk or worry, but based on what is meaningful to them and what enables them to participate fully in the life they want to lead,” she added.

This Occupational Therapy Week and Occuaptions Therapy Day, we celebrate our occupational therapists and the meaningful difference they make across Northern Health by helping people overcome barriers, build confidence and reconnect with the activities and relationships that matter to them the most.

Because participation matters!

Pictured in featured image: Bundoora OT GEM team (L–R): Michael Rees-Lightfoot (G1), Eliza Beattie (G3), Tylah Smith (G2), Will Hogan (G1), Shirlene Kwok (G2).