Discussion about entry: Rethinking MH Employment Services to Create Real Jobs: Blue Skies Personnel Services
This is discussion about Rethinking MH Employment Services to Create Real Jobs: Blue Skies Personnel Services.
This is discussion about Rethinking MH Employment Services to Create Real Jobs: Blue Skies Personnel Services.
Comments
On November 20, 2009 the judges reviewed the entries for the Changemakers Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing competition and would like to pass on the following feedback (listed below) for your entry. Thank you for applying and for your hard work in the field. We are excited to archive your entry to serve as a leading solution for the worldwide community of innovators. We wish you continued luck with your innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful initiatives.
All the best, The Changemakers Team
“I thought the dual-client approach was extremely innovative especially since this is not what is typically done. This initiative addresses not just the individual who hopes to be employed but also thinks about how these individuals will work with the potential employer. It’s great that they’re thinking of employer needs as well.”
“This initiative deserves widespread recognition for its excellent approach. It really takes on the issue of stigma and provides opportunities for work. It helps recovering patients manage their on-going illness as part of the workplace.”
“While job programs are not new, the approach is so innovative! One of the most critical issues for many health professionals is on how to integrate people with illnesses back into society after being treated and rehabilitated. Even if patients are well, it’s often difficult to find jobs for them because of stigma. This addresses that big dream that we all have. This initiative is such a simple and useful way of integrating people in this way. Would you mind providing some more information on why you closed the day hospital?”
- Changemakers Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing Judges
Thanks for your comments; we're very proud of our success both in finding employment for clients and in maintaining strong relationships with local employers.
In response to the question of why we closed the day hospital, we did so because we believed that a robust employment services program that focused on jobs in the community was more consistent with mental health recovery principles than our old day treatment paradigm. For those clients who don't work, a consumer-operated drop-in/resource center is also available.
--Steve Ramsland
This is a great project. I would be interested to know more about how it is progressing, for there is a lot for all of us who work with consumers to emulate. I have personally interacted with consumers who have benefited from such programs, and it is really great for their self esteem and building feelings of self-worth. Keep up the good work.