Promoting the Occupation of Work for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
Graduation Date
2009
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
Department or Program Chair
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Thesis Advisor
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Jane Dressler, JD, OTR/L
Abstract
Unemployment is at an all time high for individuals who experience a serious mental illness (SMI). A review of the literature shows that employment challenges for this population include symptom management, limited job experiences, decreased social networks, and the disincentives of entitlement programs. Nonetheless, employment is beneficial to increase financial income, increase socialization, and to create a normalization process. The purpose of this project was to create a Getting Ready for Success manual for use by first-year occupational therapy students for their community practice lab involving participants from Buckelew Employment Services (BES), a vocational service agency in Marin County, California. The workshop was an extension of services offered by BES held at Dominican University of California providing skill building for both students and clients. The manual includes resource information for facilitating specialized classes such as “Interviewing Skills, Computer Training, and Dressing for Success.” Use of this manual will help occupational therapy students and faculty address issues of employment with individuals with serious mental illness.