Department of Mental Health - Funding is important for Employment Connections.

The Department of Mental Health, earlier this year, provided funding for Employment Connections of Massachusetts to reach out  its' arms to provide employment counseling to people who have disabilities related to mental health, and are trying to work.

I feel Employment Connections is valuable program because it gave much needed help without compromising the individuality of each person. Many Careers Centers focus on resume writing, computer training, and preparing for the interviewing process.  This is very valuable.  However, this is not sufficient enough for most people dealing with mental illness.

Many people dealing with mental illnesses are motivated to work and re- enter the workforce. Rightfully so, they are concerned about their health.  And, they must also address matters dealing with their adjusting into an ever-changing changing community.  Sometimes, they may find that they may have a choppy work history, date wise, or other, maybe because of hospitalizations and other related factors.

Having a partnership between the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Workforce Development has provided an opportunity for people with mental illnesses to address these factors and to work along side Disability Counselors, finding answers and figuring out how they can find longevity in an employment position of interest.

I feel many factors are often over- looked making it difficult for the disabled to connect.  Recently, the Ticket to Work Program, put in effect by the Social Security Administration, to open doors in the community for those disabled and wanting to rejoin the work force.  Many want to take advantage of this program, but may not fully understand all the incentives, which are not really explained well.  So, therefore using Ticket to Work may not be easy to make into a workable plan.

Many people with the same Mental Illness Diagnosis may share many different symptoms during the course of lifetime.  Or, some people respond to like- symptoms in a very different way.  So, this is why, being paired up with someone, as  a Disability Counselor, who understands and is educated in Mental Health  Illnesses, and who is willing to sit down and discuss with each individual, his or her strengths, or weaknesses, proves so important. 

This program is an asset and greatly needed to provide a fair and constructive way for people to pursue their career and educational goals while dealing with mental illness, and other disabilities.

This blog is to advocate for the continuation of funding from the Department of Mental Health to the Work Force Development Department of Massachusetts, as Employment Connections, and similar programs.

Amara
Crittenton Women’s Union
Woman to Woman Program Participant

Comments

[Show Me and I'll Remember]

Mental illness is such a challenge for our society. It is much easier for people to understand the challenges of a physical disability. I wasn't aware of this program, but it sounds like an important one. Maybe you can figure out who sponsored this (the Governor? a legislator?) and write a personal letter about why this matters. It seems that all of us - lawmakers included - respond to personal stories. They also help people understand why something matters. My brother-in-law is bipolar, and has some other issues, and has never been consistently able to hold a job, despite being very bright. I have witnessed his challenges (from afar, as he lives on the West Coast). Your point that people have very different responses to similar symptoms or diagnoses is important. I know many people with my brother-in-law's diagnosis are able to maintain jobs and function very well, but he reacts differently. Glad you posted on this issue.