as a Strategy for Job Retention Using Wellness Recovery Action Plan WRAP® as a Strategy for Job Retention OSECE Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment (SE) Annual Statewide Conference October 5-6, 2016 At the Oregon Garden Resort Silverton, Oregon Joan Keenen, CTRS

Welcome Introduction Housekeeping Session learning objectives Agenda review Handouts

Wellness Recovery Action Plan What is WRAP? How was it developed? Who can benefit from using WRAP? How can I use WRAP as a strategy for Job Retention? 221

History: There are Four Parts to the study of Wellness: 1. Key Recovery Concepts… Hope Personal Responsibility Education Self Advocacy Support 2. Wellness Toolbox 3. Wellness Recovery Action Planning 4. Recovery Topics 2 4

Dig Deeper: Key Recovery Concepts Hope Personal Responsibility Education Self-Advocacy Support 6

There is Much to Hope For! We can get well and stay well for long periods of time. We can work towards and meet our goals! We can lead a happy and productive life. 8

There is much to Hope For! We don’t need, nor will we benefit from, dire predictions about our future.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY We are the expert on ourselves! We know what we want and need! It is up to Us to take personal responsibility for our own wellness and our own life! 11

Personal Responsibility Sometimes this means taking back control that we have lost in the past. Those of us who take back this responsibility achieve the highest levels of Wellness, Happiness and Life Satisfaction

EDUCATION Learn all We can about ourselves so we can make good decisions about: Treatment Lifestyle Career Relationships Living Space Leisure Time Activities All Aspects of Our Life 13

Education We can educate ourselves by: Attending workshops, lectures and support groups. Considering all perspectives and deciding which ones feel right to us. Reviewing educational resources(articles, books, newsletters, CD’s and DVD’s) Talking to others who have similar experiences and to those who have expertise in the field.

SELF-ADVOCACY Become a strong advocate for ourselves. This means: “Going for it” with courage, persistence and determination; Expressing ourselves clearly and calmly until our needs are met. 17

Self-Advocacy Believe in ourselves Know our rights (see the handout) “Personal Bill of Rights” Set personal and professional goals and work towards meeting them by: Getting the facts Planning strategy Gathering support Targeting our efforts

SUPPORT Support from family, friends and co-workers, are definitely helpful. Being effectively supported will help us feel better and enrich our lives. We can call on our supporters when we need or want….. Someone to talk to Companionship Help figuring things out and making decisions Someone to support us when we have less wellness 29

Supporters or Support Systems Are People or Systems Who: Care about us Empathize with us Affirm and validate our experiences Accept us as we are The most valuable thing a supporter can do for you (or you can do for them) is to LISTEN A good supporter knows that unasked advise, criticism and judgments won’t support us.

WRAP® Wellness Recovery Action Plan® 219

WRAP Includes: Wellness Toolbox Daily Maintenance Plan (3 parts) Triggers and Action Plan Early Warning Signs and Action Plan When Things are Breaking Down and Action Plan Crisis Planning Post Crisis Planning 220

WRAP Will: Help us stay as well as possible Help us to keep track of difficult feelings and behaviors and develop action plans to help us feel better. Tell others what to do for us when we feel so badly we can’t make decisions, take care of ourselves or keep safe.

We Can Use WRAP As a tool to help insure our success if we are planning to make changes in our life like, Getting a job Changing jobs Increase work hours Taking on more responsibilities Getting more education or training Moving Beginning or leaving a relationship Loss of a loved one

Using WRAP as a Strategy for Job Retention Developing a special WRAP for Work Related Issues What’s my dream job? How many hours a day and how many days a week can I realistically work? Why do I want to work? What will I do to take care of myself while I’m working? Do I have transportation to get to a job site?

We Begin our WRAP® by: Developing a list of our Wellness Tools Wellness tools are things we do to keep ourselves well. Things we do to support ourselves feel better when we are not feeling well. We may have discovered wellness tools ourselves or learned about them from others. Most of them are simple, safe, and free. 106

Common Wellness Tools Walking with a friend Shopping at thrift shops Prayer Feeling the sun on my face Listening to music Connecting with others Playing with my dogs Reading Puzzles Gardening 108

Wellness Tools for Work Related Issues Go to bed by 9:00pm on work nights Prepare health lunch and snacks the night before Get my clothes ready the night before Go outside during lunch break Get up and take a walk, stretch and drink water Do exchange listening with a supporter Take a personal day Have positive affirmations near my desk

Daily Maintenance Plans Includes three lists: What am I like when I’m well? What I need to do daily to stay well. What I might do or would consider doing to stay well. 240

Daily Maintenance list We make a list of the words that describe us when we are well. Some words that others have used to describe when I’m feeling well are: Happy Outgoing Optimistic Energetic Content Responsible Giving Excited Motivated Work Related: I get to work on time I am flexible and easy to work with I enjoy my work I feel self confident I can accept kind criticism

Daily Maintenance List We list all the things we need to do every day to keep feeling well. Examples (Be Specific): Get up at 7:00 AM Eat three healthy meals Drink at least six glasses of water Exercise for 30 minutes Take my medication and vitamins Work related: Leave work on time Take lunch break Set out my clothes the night before 246

Daily Maintenance List Make a reminder list for things you might choose to do: Get more sleep Buy groceries Schedule appointments Pay the bills Take a bike ride Work Related: Put gas in my car Do laundry Check in with my supervisor Buy a bus pass 252

Triggers External events or circumstances that make us feel very uncomfortable. Triggers happen to everyone, they are normal reactions to life events. If we are aware of our triggers we can plan for them or avoid them. Work related triggers happen at work, or are in some way work-related. 254

Triggers Examples: Difficult relationships Anniversary of loss or trauma Large crowds Long lines Unexpected bill Work Related Triggers Being late Equipment break downs Having a disagreement with a co-worker Stigma Being passed over for a promotion 266

Triggers Action Plan We develop a list of wellness tools we can use to help get us through these difficult times when a triggers event has occurred, it will keep us from feeling worse. Sample action plan: Write in my journal Go for a walk Make a gratitude list Do something special for someone else Trigger Action Plan for Work Related Issues Take a day off Speak to co-workers Take a five minute break and do some deep breathing Arrange to meet up with a supporter after work 259

Early Warning Signs Early Warning Signs are changes in the way we think, act or feel. They are subtle signs of change that let us know we need to take action to avoid a worsening situations. Examples: Feelings of hopelessness Aches and pains Avoiding others or isolating Being uncaring or indecisive Early Warning signs for Work Related Issues Not looking forward to going to work Irritability Messy work space Inability to concentrate 263

Early Warning Signs Action Plan Simple interventions with wellness tools at this time can prevent us from feeling worse and help us to return to wellness more quickly. Sample Plan: Surround myself with loving, affirming people Get plenty of rest Journal out loud with a supporter Do a focusing exercise or activity Sample Action Plan for Work Related EWS Ask for help with specific tasks Negotiate job changes Take a personal day 268

When Things are Breaking Down or Getting Worse In spite of our best efforts we may begin to feel even worse. The following signs indicate we are feeling much worse. Examples: Irrational responses to others Racing thoughts, unusual behaviors Taking anger out on others Work Related Taking unsafe risks Making many mistakes Miss the bus for 3 days in a row Feeling like I’m dragging myself to work 272

When Things are Breaking Down or Getting Worse Action Plan The plan now needs to be clear and very directive, with many things we “must” do and fewer choices. Sample plan: Call my closest supporters and ask for support Arrange for someone to stay with me Call my doctor or therapist and arrange an appointment Work Related Action Plan: Discuss situation with employer Arrange to take at least 3 days off Each day spend at least 2 hours doing things I enjoy Consider making a job change 278

Crisis Planning In spite of our best planning and assertive action, we may find ourselves in a crisis situation where others will need to take over responsibility for our care. We develop this plan slowly when we are well. Our Crisis Plan will instruct others about how to care and support us when we are less well. It keeps us in control even when it seems like things are out of control. This part of WRAP® is different from other parts of the plan because we give it to others so they have it when needed. 281

Crisis Planning It Includes: “What we are like when we are well”. Signs that Supporters need to take over. Supporters, Medications: 5. Treatments: Home/Community Care/Respite Center: Treatment Facilities: Help from others: Indicators my supporters no longer need to use the plan Post Crisis Planning has 2 Parts: Addressing issues Creating a Time table for resuming responsibilities 285

Work Related Crisis Planning Includes instructions that will tell our supporters to contact our employer. Who to contact and contact information What to tell your employer Calling employer with updates Work Related Post Crisis Planning: Carefully consider if, when and how we will return to work. Do I need to work fewer hours? Is there something about work that needs to change? What’s my timetable for returning to work?

Thank You We have completed a review of WRAP and how developing a WRAP for work related issues can be a strategy for job retention. Are there any Questions? For more information go to: www.mentalhealthrecovery.com Contact information: