March 7, 2025
As you know, the unprecedented cuts to our federal government have caused unimaginable upheaval in people’s lives and have had profound effects on mental health. In addition, we are learning about mental health professionals and other essential workers being fired from their jobs at numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is looking to cut 80,000 workers. (Read the VA memo here.)
AATA joined the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and other associations that represent Creative Arts Therapists in sending a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins urging him to place Recreational Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy on the exempt list from potential layoffs within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
These specialized therapists, the letter explains, “play a critical role in improving the well-being of our nation’s veterans, contributing not only to their mental and physical health, but also to their recovery and reintegration into civilian life,” citing the VA’s own information.
Next Steps
1. Take the Survey
As we navigate these large-scale cuts across federal agencies, programs, and grants, AATA is surveying art therapists to assess how these cuts are affecting the work you do. From this information, we can better respond to emerging crises and continue to raise awareness and advocate on behalf of our members and the communities you serve.
If you are an art therapist, please take this brief survey.
Your thoughts and experiences “on the ground” will help us understand how our profession is being harmed and whether access to mental health care is being limited. We will share our findings but keep responses anonymous.
2. Write to Your Lawmakers
Write to your lawmakers in Congress and urge them to oppose any cuts to Recreational Therapy and Creative Arts Therapies within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Tell them to consider the significant impact that recreational therapy and creative arts therapists have on the health and well-being of veterans and place these therapists on the exempt list to prevent further disruption to the services they provide. It’s estimated that one in five veterans who have served since the September 11, 2001, attacks are experiencing mental health issues, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety. Let’s expand access to mental health care to our veterans, not cut mental health professionals from the VA.
Use this form provided by the American Music Therapy Association to write a letter to your Representative and Senators—and customize it based on your art therapy experiences.
3. Join the Conversation
If you’re an AATA Member, please join us on the MyAATA community or in the Veterans Shared Interest Group. We will also have updates during our next All-Member Meeting, April 30. (Register to receive the Zoom link.)
Not an AATA Member? Join or renew here.