Position Statements
AATA Statement on the US Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
June 30, 2022
Reproductive choice is a personal decision. Taking away the right to exercise bodily autonomy in making life-changing decisions—and placing decision-making authority with lawmakers rather than health care providers—will have profound mental and physical health consequences impacting families and communities, especially those most disadvantaged in society.
Statement by the American Art Therapy Association on the School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
As an organization, the American Art Therapy Association urges state and federal lawmakers to look at all policies and laws that impact gun violence. Our society must make mental health care more accessible, affordable, and equitable—year-round and not just after a tragedy.
AATA Statement Opposing Legislative Proposals Targeting LGBTQIA+ Students
March 8, 2022
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) stands in strong opposition to the national trend of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation typified by Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, colloquially known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. At a time when our nation’s young people are already facing a mental health emergency, further stigmatizing LGBTQIA+ youth will only make it more challenging for them to seek help, and may result in many spiraling into crisis.
AATA Opposes the Redefinition of Art Therapy from a Separate Profession to a Form of Counseling in Texas
July 14, 2021
The regulatory structure of art therapists in Texas has recently undergone significant changes, both to the board with authority over the rulemaking process and to the rules themselves, including how art therapy is defined. The AATA submitted comment—first during the regular sunset review period with recommended improvements, and this week urging the rejection of a proposed redefinition of art therapy as a form of counseling.
AATA Statement in Support of Authentic Self Expression among Transgender Youth
April 22, 2021
The American Art Therapy Association stands in support of transgender youth. We are outraged by the onslaught of recent state legislation proposed across the country prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender youth and banning transgender youth from participating on sports teams according to their gender identity. Simply put, these bills are dangerous because they systematically endanger the health and well-being of transgender youth.
AATA Statement on the Georgia Shootings and Rise in Anti-Asian Violence During the Coronavirus Pandemic
March 18, 2021
Our nation was devastated by the March 16th shootings in the Atlanta area that left eight people dead. While we are still learning the details, we know that most of the victims were women of Asian descent. These horrific attacks are the latest examples of the rise in incidents of hateful rhetoric and violent crimes perpetrated against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic.
AATA Condemns Riot on the Capitol and Future Threats of Violence
January 13, 2021
The insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6th was not only a flagrant assault to our democracy, but a very traumatic event for millions of Americans across the country. Even if we were not physically in the Capitol on that day, we share a sense of horror, helplessness, and grief simply from viewing the video footage.
The American Art Therapy Association Congratulates President-Elect Biden And Vice President-Elect Harris
November 9, 2020
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) congratulates Joe Biden on winning the 2020 election as the next president of the United States, and Kamala Harris for becoming the first Black woman—the first woman—and the first Indian American elected to one of the two highest offices in the land. The historic significance of her election cannot be overstated.
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 2020
September 10, 2020
As we recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, we know that the added economic stress, social isolation, loss of loved ones and myriad hardships that accompany the pandemic are causing more people to consider suicide. Suicide prevention is more important now than ever.
Statement by the American Art Therapy Association on Law Enforcement Response to Mental Health Crises
September 8, 2020
The American Art Therapy Association urgently calls on lawmakers to invest in community mental health services and shift response to mental health and substance-abuse emergencies from law enforcement to trained mental health professionals. These professionals can mitigate deadly and harmful incidents and reduce the number of unnecessary jail and psychiatric hospital admissions of people experiencing mental health and substance abuse crises.