Utah program connects those with mental health illnesses to jobs
One Utah program is working to connect those who have struggled with mental health illness with jobs. Then, it helps them stay employed. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is connecting individuals with employers to aid in their recovery for mental health issues. The IPS offices across the state are located to help those with mental health crises or a co-occurring substance abuse disorder find a job and keep it. Sharon Cook, the supported employment administrator for the DHHS, said the program reduces stigma about people with past struggles holding down a job or it may not be good for them. This program also reduces long-term costs of treatment throughout the state. Cook said that when individuals with mental conditions return to work, they are producing significant long-distance savings in mental health treatment costs.
نشرت : قبل 10 شهور بواسطة Heather Peterson في Health
SALT LAKE CITY — A sector of Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services is connecting those who have suffered from mental health illnesses with employers to aid in their recovery. With Individual Placement and Support (IPS) offices across the state, they help those who have suffered from mental health crises or a co-occurring substance abuse disorder, find a job and keep it.
Sharon Cook, the supported employment administrator for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, said they are reducing the stigma that people with past struggles cannot hold down a job, or it may not be good for them.
“When they are working in competitive, integrated, and even meaningful employment settings, they may have an increased sense of self-purpose, and higher self-esteem and confidence,” Cook said. “We’ve seen improved quality of life, and reduced symptoms.”
Cook said this program also reduces the long-term costs of treatment throughout the state.
“[We see] a reduction in psychiatric hospitalization days…a decrease in emergency room usage and justice involvement,” Cook said. “When individuals with mental health conditions return to work, they are producing huge long-term savings in mental health treatment costs.”
The department is not just for providing support to the employee though. Employers also benefit from having the support of the DHHS.
“Employers are getting a whole team approach in helping support the person who was hired, which is assisting their retention,” Cook said.
Cook went on to say they encourage employers who may be skeptical about causing stress for someone with past issues, by explaining the only thing more stressful than employment, is unemployment.
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المواضيع: Social Issues