T raining R ecovery E mpowerment E mployment S ervices Lynn Mac Donald Employment Counselor

Partnership LakeCity Employment Services Association, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, and funded through Department of Health CEHHA introduced the TREES Project to Colchester/ East Hants, in 2005.

FREE (Employment Services) Employment and Education counseling services to individuals living with mental illness.

Eligibility: 19 years and older Resident of Colchester East Hants Primary diagnosis of a mental illness Agency referral Self referral Motivated to try something new Insight into illness

Location 557 Prince

Unique about this program The TREES project delivers the Community Employment Model to where the mental health consumer is, both in their stage of recovery and to their geographic location.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation Model Psychosocial rehabilitation (also termed psychiatric rehabilitation, or PSR) promotes personal recovery, successful community integration and satisfactory quality of life for persons who have a mental illness or mental health concern. Psychosocial rehabilitation services and supports are collaborative, person directed, and individualized, and an essential element of the human services spectrum. They focus on helping individuals develop skills and access resources needed to increase their capacity to be successful and satisfied in the living, working, learning and social environments of their choice and include a wide continuum of services and supports.

Work Readiness soft skills, wellness plan, organization, planning, follow through, problem solving, time management, goal setting, self esteem, identify barriers, motivated, follow an action plan.

Disclosure Depends on the comfort level of the Client. Disclosure is optional in most cases, although if the employment position is set-up through the TREES Project, the employer may know that the client has a mental illness based on the TREES Project mandate. Only the client may decide to disclose specific details about their mental health to the employer. Disclosure may assist the client by identifying accommodations from the employer Non disclosure usually means the Employment Counselor just provides job leads and sends out resumes and cover letters while remaining anonymous to the employer. Disclosure of disability is required for disability grants.

Confidentiality The Counselor discusses the issue of confidentially with the Client to assure them their privacy will be respected. A ‘Consent for Sharing Personal Information’ form is signed that grants the Employment Counselor the privilege to talk to relevant third parties in regard to employment goals. This reduces fear of breech of confidentiality which is often an issue.

Employment Job Planning – volunteer, paid employment, employment objective, review work history, education history, job preference, interests, skills, abilities, goal setting, realistic, action plan. Job Preparation – resume, cover letters, applications, job bank, LMI Job Maintenance – budgeting, stress management, self esteem, system navigation Job Search – identify job matches, sending out resumes, interview preparation & debriefing. Job Coaching – contact employers, job development, onsite coaching, job descriptions, identify accommodations. Supported Employment – problem solving, follow along support as long as required.

Education Career exploration determine career objective, interests, skills, Labor Market Information, pre-requisites, application process, planning, goal setting, realistic. Education pursuits identify programs and funding options; CareerworksNova, Department of Community Services, LMAPWD, Disability Grants, Disability Resource Facilitators, and Assistive Technology. Supported Education budgeting, system navigation, time management, organizational skills, problem solving, planning, applications, student loans, disability grants, Psych./Educational/Assessments, continuous follow along support.

Mental Illness and Employment Employment plays an essential role in the recovery of people with mental illness There are many benefits of working. It can help to: –Reduce symptoms –Improve self-esteem –Offer a social network –Provide structure, stability, and a sense of purpose All of these factors can support a person’s ability to become more independent and earn a decent income

Mental Illness and Cognition Included among the barriers to work are cognitive problems, which are not as frequently addressed yet can further interfere with a person’s ability to find and maintain a job “Cognition” = thinking skills (e.g., attention/concentration, learning/memory, language, problem solving, planning, organization, etc) Problems with thinking skills can make it difficult for people to carry out the responsibilities of a job without having the proper supports in place

Mental Illness and Cognition Cognitive issues are common in people with a range of psychiatric conditions, including: –Psychotic disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia) –Mood disorders (e.g., Depression, Bipolar Disorder) –Anxiety disorders –Substance-related disorders –Learning disabilities –ADHD –Borderline personality disorder –Schizotypal personality disorder

Obstacles There are many obstacles that people with mental illness have to face in the workforce, including: –Gaps in work history, limited employment experience –Lack of confidence, fear, anxiety –Workplace discrimination, social stigma “Of all people with disabilities, those with mental illness face the “highest degree of stigmatization in the workplace and the greatest barriers to employment opportunities.” (Canadian Psychiatric Assoc’n)

Strategies Use a step-by-step method to help model the process of solving difficult problems at work or education pursuits. –Identify the problem to be solved. It the problem has many parts, break it down and deal with only one part at a time. –Come up with possible solutions. Write them onto paper. –Evaluate the pros and cons of each possibility. –Choose the best solution and try it out. –Evaluate the solution. If it doesn’t work, try another one.

My Role Outline TREES program Intake Develop relationship Action Plan Client centered (customized plan determined by the client) Recognize cognitive issues, LD, Literacy issues, and barriers Recovery plan Navigation through community agencies Review financial options

Continued Work with not for client (never work harder than the client) Advocacy Crisis referral Boundaries Confidentiality Disclosure Client participation Continuous support

Questions