News from Association of Bulgarian Ergotherapists (Bulgaria)

Over the past year, the Association of Bulgarian Ergotherapists (ABET) has taken important steps to strengthen the profession in Bulgaria and to support its members through learning, visibility, and advocacy.

Strong Bulgarian Participation at the 1st OT-Europe Congress in Krakow

For the first time, a large group of Bulgarian occupational therapists had the opportunity to attend a high-level international event — the 1st OT-Europe Congress in Krakow (15–19 October 2024). The event allowed the Bulgarian OT community to take part in a wide range of scientific and networking activities, and to feel connected to the broader European movement for advancing the profession.

Celebrating World Occupational Therapy Day Together

On 27 October 2024, ABET marked World Occupational Therapy Day with a shared social media campaign. Therapists contributed words they felt best described the profession. These were turned into a visual word cloud in the shape of the OT abbreviation. Concepts such as participation, independence, inclusion and support stood out as common values. A short video and the word cloud helped make the profession more visible and understandable to the public. This collective initiative highlighted the unity and creativity of the Bulgarian OT community.

Supporting Members through Annual Training Opportunities

In 2024, ABET began organising professional development trainings for its members. Thе focus of this year was on communication with families in the context of therapy. Two interactive online sessions in January, led by a psychologist, explored practical tools for discussing sensitive topics, setting boundaries, and building trust with families. The launch of this training marks an important step in the mission of ABET to support its members with relevant, context-based learning.  

Bringing OT into Hospitals 

Occupational therapist Ruslana Anastasova has started a unique initiative that highlights the value of occupational therapy in hospitals. With the support of her dog Kiara, she regularly visits paediatric and oncology units in several Sofia hospitals. While Kiara is not officially certified as a therapy dog, her calm presence helps reduce stress, foster emotional connection, and bring moments of joy to children undergoing medical treatment. This project reflects the core principles of occupational therapy — promoting well-being, engagement, and quality of life — and is a powerful example of occupational therapy advocacy for more holistic approaches within healthcare.

ABET continues to work toward expanding the recognition of occupational therapy in Bulgaria and building bridges with the European OT community!

News from Association Nationale Française Des Ergothérapeutes (France)

On May 22–23, 2025, the French National Occupational Therapy Days (Journées Nationales
d’Ergothérapie) were held in Marseille under the theme “Mental Health Across All Our
Practices”. This event, co-organised by ten committed occupational therapists from ANFE and
GRESM, was the result of a collaborative journey that began in September 2023.

GRESM (Groupe de Réflexion sur l’Ergothérapie en Santé Mentale) is an interest group of ANFE,
led by occupational therapists united by a shared motivation to promote their profession in
the field of mental health through a cross-cutting approach, rooted in a political and societal
dynamic.

The aim was to explore mental health as a transversal concern across all Occupational Therapy
fields—not limited to psychiatry—and to foster inclusive, individualised, and holistic care.
Plenary sessions, participatory workshops, and round tables enabled rich discussions on
current practices, societal expectations, and the need for occupational therapists to maintain
their own occupational balance.

Géraldine Desprès and Christophe Buffavand opened the event with insights into national and
international mental health challenges. With nearly 13 million people affected by mental
illness in France, the topic has become a national priority, officially declared a major cause for 2025. A video message from Minister Charlotte Parmentier-Lecoq acknowledged occupational
therapists’ essential contributions to this cause.

Presentations highlighted the continuum of mental health—ranging from positive mental
health to psychological distress and severe psychiatric conditions. The workshops addressed
the need for early intervention, psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery, and collaborative care,
especially through peer support and co-constructed practices.

Particular attention was paid to vulnerable populations, including youth, migrants, elderly, and
incarcerated people. The importance of community-based Occupational Therapy was
emphasised as a way to address systemic issues and promote empowerment.
Throughout the event, speakers underlined the political and social dimensions of occupational
therapy. The participatory workshop on the future of the profession sparked strong
engagement, underscoring that change must also come from within.

For more information about GRESM : https://anfe.fr/nos-groupes-dinterets-gresm/

News from Malta Association of Occupational Therapists

Annual General Meeting & New Committee
On 20th February 2025, the MAOT held its Annual General Meeting. During the meeting, members
elected a new committee to serve for the next two years. A significant milestone was also achieved with
the approval of the newly revised MAOT statute, following nearly two years of dedicated work.

40th Anniversary Celebration
MAOT marked a historic moment on 7th March 2025, celebrating its 40th Anniversary at the prestigious
Verdala Palace, the summer residence of the President of Malta. The event featured messages from the
Presidents of COTEC and WFOT and honored the contributions of numerous occupational therapists
working in Malta. Among the highlights was the presentation of the Distinguished Legacy Award to Mr.
Joe Busutill, one of Malta’s pioneering figures in occupational therapy, in recognition of his outstanding
local and international achievements.

Commitment to Professional Development
The Association remains committed to supporting the continuous professional development (CPD) of both local therapists and students. Recent initiatives included:
– An online webinar on Picky Eating using the SOS Approach
– A CPD session highlighting current research conducted by Maltese occupational therapists

Upcoming Events
Preparations are underway for several key events, including:
– The Annual Summer Event
– OT Day Celebrations
– Additional CPD training sessions

MAOT looks forward to continuing its mission of advancing the profession and supporting its members
through advocacy, education, and collaboration.