AATA News
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.
Leading with Intention to Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
September 8, 2020 | Margaret Carlock-Russo
After July’s virtual member meeting, members told us they wanted to learn more about AATA’s next steps in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I)—and hear more from Gary Smith, our DE&I consultant. In response, we are excited to share with you this webinar, “Leading with Intention to Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.” Gary put our conversation into this current reality, referring to the Coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented activism after George Floyd’s horrific killing. While we are defining diversity broadly, he posited in this moment, we may consider focusing on race.
2020 Candidate Slate & AATA Elections
August 27, 2020
The 2020 election season is here! Online voting for the Annual Election will commence on August 10. All voting members will receive a notice with voting instructions via e-mail.
Art Therapy Legislation 101 Learning Module
August 25, 2020 | By Ashley Skelly
As an art therapist or art therapy supporter, you are often asked to take action to contact state government legislators/leaders. Politics can be confusing to navigate, and the prospect of contacting senators/representatives may seem intimidating. However, legislators want to hear about the issues and changes needed from the people they represent – YOU!
Mental Health Policy Implications during the Coronavirus Pandemic
August 24, 2020
While the results of this survey of art therapists capture a particular moment during the Coronavirus pandemic—when 95% of Americans were under some sort of stay-at-home policy—the findings remain relevant as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise. We hope that these results will help inform how lawmakers address the ongoing mental health ramifications of the pandemic and better support mental health professionals.
Findings from AATA’s Coronavirus Pandemic Impact Survey
August 14, 2020
To better understand how art therapists are responding to the Coronavirus pandemic and coping themselves, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) conducted an online survey of art therapy professionals, educators, and students in May 2020. The findings offer a look into the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on art therapists, the clients they serve, as well as access to mental health care. (Download the full report.)
Registration is Open for AATA’s Virtual Conference!
August 13, 2020 | Susan Boxer Kappel
We are excited to announce that registration for our virtual conference, Art Therapy Connected: Advancing Mental Health in a Virtual World is now open! The conference is an exceptional education and networking opportunity that provides attendees with flexibility and a library of up to 57 hours of on-demand learning! We invite you to join us!
Standing up for Mental Health during COVID-19
July 30, 2020
From the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, AATA has joined our coalitions in mental health, specialized instructional support personnel (SISPs) in schools, and the arts in congressional COVID-19 relief package negotiations and working with federal agencies.
Bicameral Resolution to Designate July as BIPOC Month
July 30, 2020
The AATA strongly supports the goals of this bicameral resolution to bring awareness to the disparities in the incidence of mental health-related challenges faced by black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and to encourage Congress to act to address the systemic drivers of those disparities through culturally-informed mental health services.
A Warm Welcome to AATA’s New Online Student Corner
July 30, 2020
We are so pleased to be able to welcome our members to AATA’s new Student Corner, an online community forum created especially for student involvement. Students are the future of art therapy, and we look forward in being able to share in your insights and discussions about the student experience in art therapy!