OT in Action: Supporting Men’s Health

This week we mark Occupational Therapy Week — a time to celebrate the work of OTs and reflect on how they support meaningful participation, independence and quality of life. At the same time, November brings Movember — a month dedicated to men’s health, particularly mental health and wellbeing.

For men living with visible or non-visible disabilities, these two events converge to highlight a critical truth: timely, tailored OT support can be the difference between being stuck and being engaged in life.In this blog we’ll explore the access-gap in OT services, why men are at particular risk, and how the team at All Round Therapy Services (ARTS) responds.

The Access Gap in Occupational Therapy

The profession of occupational therapy in Australia has grown significantly over recent years. For example, the peak body Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) reports that from 2013 to 2023 the number of registered OTs increased by some 171%. Yet despite growth, access remains uneven. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that in 2023-24, about 28% of people aged 15 years and over waited longer than they felt acceptable for a GP appointment — and 29% for a specialist appointment. In the OT space, issues such as workforce shortages, regional disparities and funding pressures create additional wait-times and barriers.

The OTA Workforce Development Project flagged that the profession’s “understanding of role” and “workload sustainability” are key concerns. For men with disabilities — especially non-visible ones — this access gap can mean delayed assessments, missed opportunities for intervention and reduced participation in work, community or life roles.

Men with Visible and Non-Visible Disabilities Need Focused Support

Men often face unique challenges in health and disability contexts:

• Men may be less likely to seek help or support early, particularly where disabilities aren’t obvious.

• A visible disability (such as mobility impairment, amputation or neurological injury) can present clear barriers to participation — but non-visible disabilities (such as psychosocial disability, neurodivergence, chronic pain or fatigue) often go unrecognised and unsupported.

• Meaningful activity, roles, routine and environment are core to occupational therapy — for men, these factors are protective for mental health and wellbeing, but only if access is timely. When Movember raises awareness of men’s mental health and we reflect on OT Week’s theme of “OT in Action,” we see how these two realms overlap: enabling men with disability to engage in meaningful occupations supports mental health; conversely, providing mental-health aware OT can support life roles and participation.

OT in Action – Practical Ways to Support Men’s Participation

Occupational therapy goes beyond physical rehabilitation — it helps people re-establish identity, purpose, and routine after change or challenge. For men with visible or non-visible disabilities, small shifts in how daily life is structured can have a profound effect on wellbeing.

1. Focus on participation, not diagnosis. When we ask “What does this person want or need to do each day?” rather than “What’s their condition?”, we uncover opportunities for growth. This might mean redesigning a morning routine, introducing adaptive strategies for work, or reframing what “productivity” looks like in recovery.

2. Recognise the role of environment. Workplaces, homes, and community settings can either enable or restrict participation. Adjusting equipment, routines, or expectations can reduce fatigue and frustration — whether through ergonomic supports, task simplification, or pacing strategies.

3. Bridge the visible and invisible. Physical challenges often attract attention and support, but psychosocial or cognitive barriers can go unnoticed. Awareness, open dialogue, and flexible goal-setting are essential in addressing both.

4. See engagement as prevention. Meaningful occupation — having something to do, somewhere to be, and someone to connect with — is a proven protective factor for mental health. Enabling that engagement is core to the philosophy of OT and to initiatives like Movember.

For Referrers, Support Coordinators, and Community Partners

As professionals and advocates, there are several practical ways to reduce the gap for men with visible and non-visible disabilities:

• Start the conversation early: Ask how daily routines are going, where frustrations occur, and whether the person feels confident managing their day-to-day roles.

• Look for subtle signs: Withdrawal from work or social activities, fatigue, or changes in motivation may signal an unmet need rather than disinterest.

• Normalise support: Framing OT and allied-health input as skill-building and participation-focused — rather than “treatment” — helps reduce stigma, especially for men hesitant to seek help.

• Collaborate across roles: Link GPs, psychologists, and OTs where appropriate. Shared planning supports holistic outcomes, particularly for complex or hidden disabilities.

• Use awareness weeks as catalysts. OT Week and Movember are timely opportunities to start conversations about men’s roles, routines, and wellbeing. They can help open doors that stigma might otherwise close.

  
  

This Occupational Therapy Week and throughout Movember, let’s commit to seeing the full picture: the man, his capacities, his meaningful roles and the hidden barriers. At ARTS we’re ready to partner with you to close the access gap, support men with visible and non-visible disabilities, and translate OT in action into real lives lived fully. If you’d like to discuss how our OT and allied health services can support a male in your referral network — or initiate a workplace ergonomic assessment — please contact us. Together we can make OT Week and Movember more than awareness — we can make them catalysts for change.

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) – Workforce Development ProjectRetrieved from: https://otaus.com.au/workforce-development-project

Occupational Therapy Australia / Medianet NewsHub – No relief for OTs: NDIS price freeze enters seventh year with services at breaking pointPublished 2025.Retrieved from: https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2025/06/no-relief-for-ots-ndis-price-freeze-enters-seventh-year-with-services-at-breaking-point/105160

ASTRAD Consulting – Australian Occupational Therapy Market: Growth, Challenges & Opportunities 2025Published 2024.Retrieved from: https://www.astrad.com.au/articles/australian-occupational-therapy-market-growth-challenges-opportunities-2025

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Access to Health Services (Measuring What Matters – Themes and Indicators: Healthy)Updated 2024.Retrieved from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicators/healthy/access-health-services

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Access to Care and Support Services (Measuring What Matters – Healthy)Updated 2024.Retrieved from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicators/healthy/access-care-and-support-services

Disability Support Guide – What Are the Types of Hidden Disabilities?Published 2024.Retrieved from: https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/information/article/what-are-the-types-of-hidden-disabilities

Movember Foundation – Men’s Health and Wellbeing Campaign (Movember.com)Retrieved from: https://au.movember.com

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) – World Occupational Therapy Day and OT Week Theme: “Occupational Therapy in Action”Retrieved from: https://wfot.org/our-work/advocacy/world-occupational-therapy-day