I am currently a student of the Master's of Occupational Therapy Program at James Madison University. I plan to practice in the state of Virginia upon completion of this program. After spending the summer session discussing the history of occuaptional therapy in the field of mental health, this topic is extremely confusing that we should have to argue to stay in the field we began in. Mental health is one of the largest parts of occupaitonal therapy and it is addressed in every setting with each client based on their specific needs. It is unreasonable to require that a different profession be in charge of our qualification in this area. In each OT program, students are trained in assessments, interventions, and mindfulness of the mental health aspects involved in each area of OT. We are trained to become professionals in this topic in order to assist our future clients. If OTs become QMHPs then there will be more resources for this mental health crisis we are currently facing. We are a holistic profession that believes in treating the mind as much as the body. This revision should be made in order to allow OTs to become QMHPs. 

I support a revision of Part II Requirements for Registration regulation 18VAC115-80-40 B.5. Requirements for registration as a QMHP-A and 18VAC115-80-50 B.4. Requirements for registration as a QMHP-C 

be changed to the following requirement:

Licensure as an occupational therapist by the Board of Medicine (§ 54.1-2900 of the Code of Virginia) with a master’s or doctoral degree, and an internship or practicum of at least 500 hours with persons with mental illness or one year of experience in a mental health setting.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.